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.

Those Who Are For Us Are More Than Those Who Are Against Us

Readings:
II Kings 6
John 15:11-27

Focus:
II Kings 6:16:"Elisha answered, 'Do not be afraid, for those on our side are more than those on theirs."
John 15:19:"If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but you do not belong to the world, now that I have chosen you out of the world, and for that reason the world hates you."

These readings were actually quite pertinent to me at the moment. I sometimes get involved in discussions on other people's denominationally-related blogs, or in the Christians@Microsoft discussion list, and sometimes the discussions are with theological opponents and/or with self-proclaimed atheists. It so happens that I have been involved in not one but two such discussions the last few days, one with people who disagree with me (and others) theologically, and one with some atheists.

In both cases I have had to endure being called a liar, a bigot, and prejudiced, and other such labels, although I and those arguing with me never use labels for those we debate with. After a while, although one can dismiss these things as unreasonable, it does start to wear one down a little.

But tonight when I read these Bible passages I found some very helpful reminders. The world hated Jesus. Jesus is our master, and a servant is not greater than the master. If the world hated Jesus, it will hate us, too. It's no more than we should expect. Where Jesus is, there should we be, too. And we are in good company, with someone able to shelter us.

But also, those who are for us are more than those who are against us. Ultimately, we have all the power of God and his saints and angels on our side. We will be with him in the very end, and all will be well.