The Devotional
Comment:
Sometimes we reminisce of the places
we have been or we remember things in our childhood that bring happiness as we
remember events growing up. Maybe we are elderly and we remember that 100
hundred yard dash that took a mere 15 seconds. Now it takes 15 minutes and we
are only half way there. Happiness and joy in life for many is a fantasy that
moves quicker than the current men’s record in the 100 yard dash set by Usain
Boit in 2009 of Jamaica which is 9.58 seconds. This should be noted seriously
that life; life in the flesh is – temporal. Humanity is limited by time, space
and opportunity. As one ole person from Maine said once or twice, “You can’t
get there from here”! Often finding ourselves asking; Why? Why can’t I have a
little happiness and joy in life? There is however, much joy to be had in life,
but there is also much suffering too. One of the comforts in suffering is that
we are not alone, suffering happens to all peoples and all of creation.
Challenge: Romans 8:-18-22
“For I consider that the sufferings
of this present time are not worthy, nor should suffering be
compared to the GLORY which shall be revealed (not to us) but IN US”. Please do
not overlook where this glory is; yes we have hope of the glory to be revealed
when we enter eternity, but let me say that we often overlook that all souls
(children of God) are the Glory of God. A picture of this glory is revealed in
Revelation 21 verses 9 – 21. Are you thirsty for this glorious joy? The Spirit and
the Bride of Christ says, “Come!” And let Him (God) who hears say, “Come!” And
let him (whosoever will) who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the
water of life freely.
The depth and wisdom of the apostle
Paul is revealed in all of his epistles, yet here in Romans 8 we can see this
wisdom is not based on human intellect, but on the Power of God the Holy Spirit
and the apostle’s experience and utilization of living a Spirit filled life. We
would do well to imitate his life, 1 Corinthians 11:1. Romans 8 expresses real
time life, we can have great joy in the midst of suffering while living in the
Spirit of God.
We are not alone in suffering, note
Romans 8:19 – “For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for
the revealing of the sons of God, as the New Jerusalem is coming. Speaking of
this abundant life that all of creation is eagerly seeking, Isaiah says in his
book; “For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace; the mountains
and hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the tress of the
field shall clap their hands” Isaiah 55:12, Psalm 98:8 too, reveals this truth
as the whole Psalm speaks of God’s judgment and deliverance from all suffering
and sin.
This brings us to verse 23 of Romans
8 that we will look at tomorrow if the LORD is willing, in the meantime,
creation suffers just as we do for the glory of God, the unveiling of eternity
is what we all hope for, but what good is that hope if it were a real time
event in our daily sinful lifestyles. The glory of God will never be mixed with
the sufferings of time. “Yet through the Power of God and the Spirit of God who
raised Christ from the dead” if this truth is dwelling in you, then He who
raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal body through the
Spirit who dwells in you – Romans 8:11.
“What a joy it will be, when Jesus I
shall see with my own eyes, Job 19:25. Oh such joy even now fills my soul.”
Words of human wisdom cannot contain the whole of God’s offer to you and me of His
promised gift of JOY to all who seek Him!
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