Afflictions, But No Broken Bones

He keepeth all his bones; not one of them is broken. (Psalm 34:20)

This promise by the context is referred to the much afflicted righteous
man: "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord
delivereth him out of them all." He may suffer skin wounds and flesh wounds,
but no great harm shall be done; "not a bone of him shall be broken."

This is great comfort to a tried child of God, and comfort which I dare
accept; for up to this hour I have suffered no real damage from my
many afflictions. I have neither lost faith, nor hope, nor love. Nay so
far from losing these bones of character, they have gained in strength
and energy. I have more knowledge, more experience, more patience, more
stability than I had before the trials came. Not even my joy has been
destroyed. Many a bruise have I had by sickness, bereavement, depression,
slander, and opposition; but the bruise has healed, and there has been
no compound fracture of a bone, not even a simple one. The reason is
not far to seek. If we trust in the Lord, He keeps all our bones; and if
He keeps them, we may be sure that not one of them is broken.

Come, my heart, do not sorrow. Thou art smarting, but there are no
bones broken. Endure hardness and bid defiance to fear.