January 22 - No Comparison.

Romans 8:18
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

Have you wondered if the suffering will ever end? Wondering if your situation will ever change? The Apostle Paul wondered the same thing, and even prayed repeatedly for God to remove his pain and suffering. Paul is relatable in the fact that his thorn of the flesh remained. His pain never fully went away. But instead of quitting he pressed on while relying on Christ’s grace and strength to get him through. Read 2 Corinthians 12 for the full context of Paul releasing the hold that his thorn had on him.

All of us have some type of thorn that can slow us down in our service and walk with the Lord if we allow it to do so. It may be physical, emotional, spiritual, or unexplainable; but God knows all about it. He not only knows how it continues to affect you, but He has also allowed it for His purpose.

Be encouraged by our verse today that the sufferings of this present time are temporary. When comparing the sufferings to the glory that is to come of them, there is no comparison. The part that encourages me the most is that He will reveal them IN us. Since in us dwelleth no good thing, that can only mean that for the glory to be revealed in us and through us it has to be all about Him! His power will be magnified through our pain, and like Paul we can claim:
“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in my infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

Bible Reading:
Genesis 43-44 | Matthew 1 | Proverbs 22