Rom 8:18   I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

 

The Bible is sometimes incredibly practical. Put very simply Paul might be saying here, "If you're struggling with the present, look to the future, what you are hoping the present will lead to." The writer to the Hebrews had the same idea when he said, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus….. who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb 12:2). In other words, Jesus coped with the whole ordeal of the Cross by looking beyond it to what it would achieve and what would follow it. Now of course that is a faith issue but isn't that what the Christian life is all about!

 

Now the problem for many of us is that we're not sure what we're aiming for and so present struggles are just difficulties in the middle of a desert. The challenge that must follow, therefore, is will we seek the Lord for clarity to see where we are going. Yes, there is the glory in heaven to follow this earth and yes, we do need more and more revelation to appreciate that, but is there a goal that God has for you on this earth, this side of death, that He wants to help you achieve? This sort of talk means we have to look afresh at our lives and start reassessing our priorities in life. Have we good goals? Have we any goals, or are we just plodding through life? Let today's verse and these thoughts provoke you into new ‘futuristic' thinking!