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Romans 5:1-8:17

Romans 8:17-18, “Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

Think

Isn’t it funny how the words obvious and oblivious are so close? There’s a Czech car company commercial that shows the features of their car while the street scene around it changes completely, although barely noticeable to the viewer. In the end, the announcer brings all the changes into view that those watching likely didn’t see. It’s the perfect illustration of just how we are oblivious to what should be so obvious!

The same is true when we come face-to-face with suffering. We can get so hyper-focused on the now that we lose sight of the eternal. We get so caught up in the present, earthly conditions that we completely forget that we belong to Christ and the blessings of Heaven go hand-in-hand with our relationship with God. Romans 8:17-18 reminds us that, as Christ-followers, we’ve been adopted into God’s family, making us His CO-HEIRS. This means we are granted everything that belongs to Him! Unfortunately, that doesn’t preclude the suffering He endured during His earthly ministry. Therefore, we, too, share in His suffering. But no matter how difficult, the trials we face here on earth are “not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

Let those words sink in — the GLORY of GOD will be revealed in YOU! Every difficulty, every loss, and every betrayal can’t even be compared to the unending joy and perfection that we will experience in eternity.  Does this diminish our suffering? By no means! But it does help us not to be oblivious to the obvious – that Heaven, with all its hope and glory, is ahead! How great is that!

Pray

Heavenly Father, I lift my eyes to You. You are my Rock, my King, my Father, my everything. I love You and choose to praise You even amid seasons of suffering. Be glorified through me today! In Jesus’ name, Amen.