Archive for October, 2007
Present sufferings, Future Hope!
Another wonderful reminder from Romans 8 is that whatever horrible earthly trials or sufferings we may experience in this life won’t even be “worth comparing” to the glory we will experience in Heaven.
Romans 8:18 “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
“Groanings”
When we suffer it’s good to keep in mind that our bodies are in a “fallen” state and are not in there final state. Romans 8 reminds us that all of creation is groaning and crying out and that Christians will be finally perfected once Christ returns for His church. Whatever trial we are going through will one day be completely and perfectly resolved. Praise God!
Romans 8:22-23 “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”
His Grace is Sufficient
Paul is an amazing example of a faithful Christian who suffered greatly (unjust imprisonments, health problems, the list goes on and on). He is also an example of perseverance and passion for the Gospel and the Lord’s glory.
Paul suffered with a thorn in his flesh (referring to particular suffering that was not literally a thorn in the flesh – but some type of difficult trial). 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 says “Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he [God] said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul goes on to say “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Cling to this promise! “My grace is sufficient for you.” Remind yourself of this today and everyday. No matter what you face today or in the days to come if you turn to Christ His grace will always be sufficient!
God cares about your suffering
If it weren’t for Christ, I would be in despair. Not only does he promise me that this world isn’t my home and that he has prepared another place for me (heaven) but he promises that he will never leave me or forsake me – even in this fallen/often difficult world.
In the book “Suffering and the Sovereignty of God” edited by John Piper, (I HIGHLY recommend this book!) Dustin Shramek, in his article entitled “Waiting for the Morning During the Long Night of Weeping,” reminds us of God’s ever present help in times of need.
“God cares about us in the midst of the pain. His goal isn’t just to get us out of the pain to the joy; He also wants us to see that he is for us and with us in the pain. It is true that weeping will tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning (Ps. 30:15). The morning will dawn and God will remove every tear (Rev. 21:4), but God is not just concerned about the morning, the new day when you can shout for joy. He is with us even in the night when there is nothing but weeping, when the tears are so thick that you can’t see.”
Beneath the Cross of Jesus
I love the hymn “Beneath the Cross of Jesus.” It wasn’t until recently that I learned about the hymns author, Elizabeth C. Clephane (1830-1869). Clephane, a Scottish hymn writer, was continuously challenged by physical weakness. Despite her frailty she lived in the joy of the Lord and was so joyful that she was known throughout her community as “The Sunbeam.”
“Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand,
The shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land;
A home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat, and the burden of the day.
O safe and happy shelter, O refuge tried and sweet,
O trysting place where Heaven’s love and Heaven’s justice meet!
As to the holy patriarch that wondrous dream was given,
So seems my Savior’s cross to me, a ladder up to heaven.
There lies beneath its shadow but on the further side
The darkness of an awful grave that gapes both deep and wide
And there between us stands the cross two arms outstretched to save
A watchman set to guard the way from that eternal grave.
Upon that cross of Jesus mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of One Who suffered there for me;
And from my stricken heart with tears two wonders I confess;
The wonders of redeeming love and my unworthiness.
I take, O cross, thy shadow for my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of His face;
Content to let the world go by to know no gain or loss,
My sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross.”
–Elizabeth Clephane 1868
His love towards us
The Lord’s great love for us is beautiful. He is attentive to our needs and desires – even when we feel as if we aren’t receiving what we are asking of Him. He knows exactly what we need and when. Charles Spurgeon spoke of his amazing love when he said:
“When a tear is wept by thee, think not that God doth not behold; for, ‘Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him.’ Thy sigh is able to move the heart of Jehovah; thy whisper can incline His ear unto thee; thy prayer can stay His hand; thy faith can move His arm. Think not that God sits on high taking no account of thee. Remember that however poor and needy thou art, yet the Lord thinketh upon thee. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards Him.”
Lamentations 3:22 “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Longings
What do you long for? We all long for something, it’s part of life. I was challenged this week, as I thought about my “longings,” through the words of Jim Elliot who said “Let not our longing slay the appetite of our living.”
What do you long for? Do you long for something so badly that you can’t live life to it’s fullest and appreciate the gift of today?
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Matthew Smith is an East Nashville singer-songwriter who writes brand new music to centuries-old hymn texts. He is a founding member of the Indelible Grace community, whose work has drawn acclaim across denominational lines and is used in churches around the world.
