Title: The Hope of Exchanging Suffering for Glory
Text:
2 Corinthians 4:13-18 (HCSB)
13 And since we have the same spirit of faith in keeping with what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke, we also believe, and therefore speak.
14 We know that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and present us with you.
15 Indeed, everything is for your benefit, so that grace, extended through more and more people, may cause thanksgiving to increase to God's glory.
16 Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day.
17 For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.
18 So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Observation:
What you focus on and your attitude about things that happen to you can make all of the difference in the world. Your perspective about life matters. What you believe and in whom you believe matters.
Today's focal passage is one that has significantly informed my view and understanding of the suffering that God allows His people to face in this world. The first thing I get is that Jesus suffered, and it was for a purpose. However, even more importantly, His suffering resulted in glory. By faith, I believe that the same will happen for those of us who are God's children. Notice what the Word of God says:
2 Corinthians 4:17 (HCSB)
17 For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.
This passage begs us to consider the appropriate place for God's people to place their focus. How much time do you spend on the things that are visible versus the things that are invisible? Everything that you can see is perishing. Conversely, those things that you cannot see will last forever.
2 Corinthians 4:18 (HCSB)
18 So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
I don't like suffering and I don't go looking for it. However, I love God, and I am so thankful for the work that He does in me to turn my suffering into glory. So, I choose, by faith, to place my hope in things that are eternal.
Prayer:
Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that no matter what Your people are going through that You are always present with them, and working for them to achieve an outcome that will turn suffering into glory. So, I am so blessed and grateful to be in the loving hands of the Lord God, who is almighty, and has been mighty good to me. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
"Time is filled with swift transition,
Naught of earth unmoved can stand,
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God's unchanging hand."
http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Hold_to_Gods_Unchanging_Hand/
--
Psalm 119:105 (HCSB)
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.
Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
8 Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.
My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:
No comments:
Post a Comment