Present Sufferings - 2

When we are made to face Paul’s sufferings, from 2 Corinthians 11: 23 – 29,  as was read in yesterday’s meditation, some of us felt guilty, and would keep quiet about our own sufferings. We would be silenced, because our sufferings seemed like child’s play to what we were reading about Paul. Nevertheless, we are tormented even more, because our sufferings are real and ripe, and we feel them immensely. We want them acknowledged, but how can we bring them to be among the sufferings of Paul and people like Paul? So we carry the deep sadness of wanting our sufferings to be acknowledged, yet feeling inadequate and unwarranted in what we are experiencing, compared with others. 

Let’s take encouragement from the text itself. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us. Romans 8: 18

We take slow, steady steps here.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time. Observe and take full notice of these encouraging facts. Paul makes no kind of value judgement or distinction on either the quality of sufferings, or the quantity of sufferings. In other words, he is not speaking of the kinds of suffering one is experiencing as a disciple of Jesus. Some may just be scorned, jeered and ridiculed by others, whereas others may suffer physical abuse and beatings, as he did. It does not matter. What matters is that you are suffering for the sake of Jesus.

Another consideration comes from the fact that the sufferings are current. Paul speaks of the sufferings of this present time. When he spoke, he was stating about sufferings in their time. In other words, Paul was not talking of sufferings as obtained in Daniel’s time, for example. He was beaten with rods and he was stoned once, but he never experienced being cast into the lions’ den. If, by faith, we believe that Scripture is for our edification, encouragement, uplifting and strengthening, as they are all Spirit-breathed, then it speaks to our time. Our present sufferings in our time, may not include half of what Paul experienced in his time, but sufferings do take place, for the same Gospel. Your sufferings for the sake of the Gospel of Christ are noble, and they are upheld by God.

Future Glory

I need to make a confession here. I found this future glory to be quite a deep, upsetting concern. When we listen to Paul speaking about present sufferings as being not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us, I could only see life after death. I began to wonder. Is the Christian life only about sufferings and more sufferings? Is that all it is to the believer, while in the flesh? Do believers have to wait until they die and leave this world and body of flesh, to have glory revealed in them? It was most depressing, to say the least and it took me quite some time, seeking to be given clarity, a right spirit and listening ears, to the Spirit of Truth and not to the spirit of lies.

Will you bear with me for a bit longer, for I know that there are minds such as mine, which have been bombarded with these thoughts? All I kept hearing was that sufferings will continue and there will be no ease, no respite, no time of comfort, enjoyment, or any such thing in life, any more. Scripture verses such as, weeping will endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning took on a hugely different face, as it were. My life, the rest of my days, however long or short, became the night, and the morning became my life after death. Joy, peace and rest will only be realised after death. These are the ideas and thoughts that engulfed me, and really made me sad and hopeless about my present sufferings.

Needless to say, after some time of turmoil and seeking, our Lord settled me once and for all. May everyone in turmoil as I was, concerning our present sufferings, be truly settled in mind and heart. May we each be made sure and secure in this truth, as God the Holy Spirit gives us grace to hear, receive and live in His glorious hope.

Job is brought before us and we know that God restored him to such marvellous glory, his past sufferings could never be compared with his present glory. This was all revealed in him before he died and received his heavenly glory. Look again at the man we all know as one of patience. Job, the servant of God, who had extreme sufferings, fought the good fight with the strength and might of his Living Lord. We see God as being with His servant all the way. He never abandoned Job in his sufferings. May we be given pure sight and insight, never to fail to acknowledge the faithfulness of God to bring Job back to a better and more glorious place and position.

Child of God and believer in Jesus, when your life-experiences resemble Job’s in many areas, think of Job’s end and how God revived, refreshed and restored him, in his present life. God revealed the glory which He had waiting to bestow upon His servant Job, with such glorious limitlessness, that indeed, not even his monumental sufferings were worthy to be compared with the abounding glory God revealed in him. God has not left you. God’s glory is waiting to be revealed in you, in this life and the life to come.

May we be encouraged, energized and empowered to do as the Hymn writer, John Monsell, advises.

Fight the good fight with all thy might,

Christ is thy strength and Christ thy right,

Lay hold on life and it shall be

Thy joy and crown eternally.

 

Faint not, nor fear, His arm is near,

He changeth not, and thou are dear,

Only believe, and thou shalt see

That Christ is all in all to Thee.

Believer in Jesus, with the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, let us consider that our present sufferings are not worthy to be compared with God’s glory that is waiting to be revealed in you and me, His children, in our present life.