What’s the connection between suffering and glory?
29 Apr 26
Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Devotions on F.I.R.E. Year One
Readings:
2 Samuel 21
2 Samuel 22
Luke 22:1-30
And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me (Luke 22:29).
What’s the connection between suffering and glory?
Jesus promises His apostles, “when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matthew 19:28). Why is this specific promise given? Previously Jesus shared with them, “But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials” (Luke 22:28). Before the crown comes the suffering. Observe the following association Paul makes with the saints’ present suffering and future glory in Romans 8:17: “and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” Similarly, our Lord Jesus suffered and “God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name” (Philippians 2:9).
Employment Point: Endure present suffering for future glory.
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Reflections
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”Romans 5:3-5 NIV
- All sufferings are not meant to be in vain. They are there to teach us valuable lessons. These valuable lessons are something that in turn helps us to bear fruit, to help us transform into Christ-likeness day after day. This is applicable in all basis as it brings about transformation.
We share in Christ His sufferings and also be with Him in glory! Like what Job said, “He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.”Job 2:10 NIV
We are meant to live life on earth with sufferings but we shall have no fear for God is with us.
“During the reign of David, there was a famine for three successive years; so David sought the face of the Lord. The Lord said, “It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death.” let seven of his male descendants be given to us to be killed and their bodies exposed before the Lord at Gibeah of Saul—the Lord’s chosen one.” So the king said, “I will give them to you.””2 Samuel 21:1, 6 NIV
- the Lord may have cleansed us from whatever we had done in the past but sometimes it doesn’t mean that we don’t have to answer for our own actions, especially when it’s about human lives.
- If we do others wrong, it is only right that we answer. Knowing the Lord does not mean we are spared the rod. In fact, we faced that even more.
“These four were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.”
2 Samuel 21:22 NIV
- regardless of how strong your enemy may be, nobody can fight against the Lord and win, unless the Lord allows it. We saw how the Lord is with David and allowed David to win all these battles.
2 Samuel 22- this chapter is a whole chapter full of praises to the Lord from David and how the Lord saves him. A good passage to read when we feel overwhelmed or even doubtful. May the Lord grant us strength to overcome.
“For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.”
Luke 22:27 NIV
- here Jesus is reiterating the fact that He comes to serve and not to be served, even though He is greater than anyone of us here. He chose to serve others.
- This should be a reminder to us as well concerning our attitude. No matter where we are, we should adopt a servant attitude and a servant heart. We ought to lead by example. To serve and not to be served.
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The Graciousness of Uncertainty
BY OSWALD CHAMBERS
April 29
What we will be has not yet been made known. — 1 John 3:2
Naturally, we are inclined to be so mathematical and calculating that we look upon uncertainty as a bad thing. We imagine that we have to reach some goal, but this isn’t the nature of the spiritual life.
The nature of the spiritual life is that we are certain in our uncertainty. Certainty is the mark of the commonsense life; gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God means that we are uncertain of the rest, never knowing what a day may bring. This is generally said with a sigh of sadness; it should be said with a burst of breathless expectation: we’re uncertain of the next step, but we’re certain of God.
The instant we abandon ourselves to God, he begins to fill our life with constant surprises. But when we become advocates of a creed, something within us dies. If we are clinging to a creed or a belief, we aren’t believing God himself; we are merely believing our beliefs about him.
Jesus said, “Unless you change and become like little children …” (Matthew 18:3). Spiritual life is the life of a child. A child isn’t uncertain of God, only of what God will do next. If we are sure of our beliefs, we are haughty and absolutely set in our opinions. Jesus said, “Believe also in me” (John 14:1). He didn’t say, “Believe your own ideas about me.” When we are rightly related to God, life is full of spontaneous, joyful uncertainty and expectancy.
Leave everything to God. It is gloriously uncertain how he will come, but he will come.
WISDOM FROM OSWALD
The main characteristic which is the proof of the indwelling Spirit is an amazing tenderness in personal dealing, and a blazing truthfulness with regard to God’s Word.
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Reflections
The people who know me will say that I am definitely not the spontaneous sort but at this moment you may be only half right. I was like that as I am someone who plans and goes by those plans. It becomes somewhat stressful I would say as I also struggle to come to terms with changes.
However, having lead teams out has taught me to be spontaneous. It is not at all a bad thing, as it opens us up to adventure, to turn to adapt and just go with the flow. Life is somewhat more interesting this way. From another perspective, it actually takes away a lot of stress from planning and just enjoying life as it comes.
I tested it with an open heart when my friend suggested that we stay a night out somewhere though we were unprepared. Well one night don’t really make any difference even if we don’t shower. But it was a memorable experience, because of the spontaneous decision and to just flow with the things that are happening.
I believe this is good training for us to really step out of our comfort zones to live life that isn’t so rigid and planned for we all know right? Things are bound to change when we follow the Lord’s plans. There will be a lot more things that can or will change, not according to our own whims and fancies but according to His higher purpose.
So perhaps the next time life throws you off balance to experience something that is so not you, perhaps you may want to give it a shot. It is also through all these things that I learnt a lot more about myself, how much I can adapt and how I react to all these changes. It is all part of growing. If not now, then when?
Let’s pray:
Father we thank You that we can entrust our lives into Your hands and that nothing can really throw us off course for You are the one who is in control. Help us Father, to surrender the control of our lives into Your loving hands, letting You take the lead for our future. Help us not to be afraid but to just flow along with your plans and enjoy this ride. May You help make this journey an enjoyable and blessed one. Thank You Lord. In Jesus’s most precious and loving name I pray. Amen 🙏🏻
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