Rom 8:18 is one of the key verses on suffering in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul gives us the secret to strength in difficult times. He encourages us to "Fix Our Gaze" NOT on the suffering we may be in now, but instead, on the Glory that is going to be revealed to us, and in us.
It's like trying to compare a thimble, and the ocean. They both hold water, that's true. But can we really compare the amount of water a thimble holds to the amount of water the ocean holds. They really can't be compared. And in the same way, we really can't compare the suffering that would fill a thimble of this present life, to the glory that would fill an ocean that will be revealed to us, and in us.
I am in no way minimizing the suffering that anyone may be experiencing. I'm saying the confidence we have from God's Word is that the glory that is coming will be so far greater, that the suffering will not be even worth a 'mention.'
& if we will fix our gaze on our true home, our true citizenship, and on our glory to come in Christ, we will gain confidence & strength to victoriously face any circumstance we may be required to face in this life. 2Cor 4:16-18 (scroll over) encourages us not to lose heart, because "this light & momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." Verse 18 goes on to say that we must not fix our gaze on the circumstances that are seen, but on the truths that are unseen. Because the circumstances we can see are temporary, but the truths that are unseen are eternal.
To reiterate, let's read the NLT version of 2Cor 4:18 NLT, it says "So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever."
So guys, when times get tough, let's fix our gaze on the promises of God, not the uncertainty of our circumstances.
Feel free to add a comment here for me. Let me know how God has carried you through your circumstances, and taught you to fix your gaze on the glory that will be revealed to you, and in you.
- - Pastor Dave
- Pastor Dave's blog
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