Daily Bread - 05/11/07

Romans 8:18 - For I calculate that this which befalls us now for a season is not worthy of the glory that is about to be revealed in us.

Paul's calculation is that the level of suffering that we endure now is not even in the same category with the glory that is about to be revealed. When Paul was writing to the Corinthians he referred to this suffering as a light affliction (2 Corinthians 4:17). The Greek word that Paul uses to help us put things into proper prospective is "logizomai" which refers to a logical reality. Now the logical calculation is that the suffering is so insignificant in comparison to the glory that it is almost meaningless.

How are we supposed to deal with the suffering and pain that we encounter here in this life? Paul, who had more than his share of opposition and turmoil, reveals to us how to live life free from discouragement. All we need to do is realize that the hand of God is shaping us for greatness both now and in the future. We must realize that He is not only with us through these things but He is so close to us that we are under His shadow (Psalms 91:1). We must realize that whatever groanings we may encounter today will be overshadowed by the glorious liberties of tomorrow. As a result, we will not lose our confidence and joy which will result in a great reward (Hebrews 10:35; 3:6; 11:26).

Jesus endured the sufferings of the cross with joy realizing that it would result in our salvation and His exaltation (Hebrews 12:2). We are also called to share in the same sufferings of Christ which are all about advancing the gospel but it must be kept in the same perspective (Philippians 3:10; 2 Timothy 2:12). However, many of the things that we go through are simply Father's desire to give us something far better than what we have now (1 Peter 1:6-7; James 1:2-3). One Christmas morning I had given one of my sons, who was about three at the time, one of his gifts. It was a very small toy that he immediately thought was the greatest thing ever. I had something far better for him that I wanted him to have but he was so distracted with his new little toy that he would not come over and unwrap his bigger present. Of course I was very excited about the gift that I had for him so in order to redirect his attention I took the little toy away from him after some struggle. It ended up in a disaster because he thought that I was punishing him when all I wanted him to do was to set his little eyes on the main event of that Christmas morning. We must realize that no matter what we are enduring Father has a bigger blessing awaiting us. We must not allow ourselves to sink into the despair of what we may have lost but keep our eyes set on what we are to gain.

Be blessed,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org