The Glory in Store for Us

Readings:
Nehemiah 6
Romans 8:18-25

Focus:
Romans 8:18: "For I reckon that the sufferings we now endure bear no comparison with the glory, as yet unrevealed, which is in store for us."

The great thing about belonging to God is knowing that we are on the side that will ultimately win. I am not saying this in the sense that there is a competition, but in the sense that God will overcome evil and, in the end, all will be well.

It is true that God helps us with many problems in life, and in many ways we are able to have things turn out right because of our relationship with him. But often this is not the case. Often we end up with some illness, or oppression, or devastating circumstances, or disappointments, and these things do not get better. We still have joy in our relationship with God, but in our circumstances we have trouble.

Yet in the midst of this trouble we can know that we are headed for a glory, as yet unrevealed, that is in store for us. This, along with our relationship with God, sustains us through the hard times. It more than got me through cancer; it lifted me up higher than I had been before.

I know a man who is going to die very soon, too young, from cancer. Through his illness the faith of his family has been looking forward to the glory that God has in store for them. They are devastated by the pain and loss they are enduring, but they firmly trust in their future hope and know that God holds this securely for them. For, like all Christians, they reckon that the sufferings they now endure bear no comparison with the glory, as yet unrevealed, which is in store for them all.