Nothing Compares To Christ

Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭18

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Let’s be honest, we don’t love when the Bible talks about suffering. We much prefer the promises of peace and joy. But that doesn’t change the reality that we all face hardships and we all suffer in this life.

The world in which we live is a fallen world; a place of sufferings and trials, and a time of heartaches and problems; a life of difficulties and sickness, and a season of disappointments and death.

Afflictions and anguish stalk our path like a hungry pack of jackals and they are no respecter of persons or position, clime or creed, wise or foolish, young or old, believer or unbeliever.

And if this were all that life offered to humanity, we would indeed be the most miserable of species, for we would remain dead in trespasses and sins, without God and without any hope in the world.

This verse of contrasts. Suffering is placed alongside great glory, sadness is contrasted with lasting joy, despair is put in contradistinction with the glorious hope that is set before us, while death is forever swallowed up in the abundance of everlasting life.

Suffering in this world also helps us to keep our eyes off the things of this world, the lust of the flesh, the pride of life. It is in times of suffering that we are inclined to lean upon the Lord, to entreat Him in prayers and petitions, to stay very close to the shelter of His wings.

Paul is exhorting us not to keep our eyes on what suffering in this world is doing in us, but to lift our eyes and fix our gaze on Jesus and "the glory that is to be revealed to us."

Suffering and all its aggressive associates pale into blinded insignificance when placed in their correct eternal perspective, for when laid alongside the truth of the gospel and the glory that shines forth from its eternal pages, they are not even worthy to be considered in the same breath as our reality in Christ and our eternal heavenly future.

Life in our fallen world, which is under the influence of the evil one, is hard and sometimes filled with suffering and persecution. Is it worth it trying to live for Jesus in a hostile world? Oh yes! It's more than worth it. We can't begin to imagine God's glory reserved for us with Him in heaven.

No matter how hard, hurtful, and painful our trip through this world may be, our future with God holds something incomparably better. Does that mean my difficulties are meaningless or insignificant? Absolutely not!

Our future glory with God does mean that it is more than worth our efforts to hang in, be faithful, and honor Him, for we will receive His glorious reward!!!

Father thank You for this day and for Your wonderful Words of wisdom in Scripture. Lord pour out Your abundant blessings from the storehouses of heaven over my friend and family today. Lord may we become so firmly grounded in the truth of Your Word and the glory that it reveals, that we can place the sufferings of this present time in their correct perspective. Lord we hold on to the promise that the glory You have in store for us is far greater than the difficulties we face right now.  Lord strengthen us for the day ahead and use us to bring Your glory no matter our current situation to all today. Be a blessing.

Father, we love You. Amen