Distance Devotions – April 8, 2020
Romans 8:17, 18 – No Comparison
Roman 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
I read a news article this morning where the author complained about how hard it was to deal with work and educating the children during this time of “social distancing and stay at home orders.” The more I read the greater my shock. While I am making assumptions from a distance, if you can’t handle your young children what in the world makes you think you will survive the teen years? Have we really brought into existence parents who think/believe that they are incapable of raising their children except the government support them somehow? I hate to admit it, but I think the answer is yes. That is really where society is…at least in part. For those who have a Christian world-view, we recognize the importance of the extended family, aunts and uncles, grandparents, and other kinfolk are a part of the support system that the Lord has ordained as well as our church family to give us stability and comfort.
Evidently previous generations, at least in a greater degree, were made of sterner stuff than the current crop of semi-spoiled Americans. Do you not realize how blessed we are? Has it not sunk in that those are not mere words, but are the truth that should be emblazoned across the heart and mind of every one blessed enough to have been born in the United States of America? And, if this be true, how much more should we take comfort in the truth that regardless of what takes place in this temporal life glory awaits us. We are the children of the God of the universe. His heart and eyes are stayed upon us for good! Not a hair can fall from your head that the God who spoke the worlds into being does not take note of and have you in His heart. His Son, Jesus, very God of very God, pleads our case before Him on a continual basis. Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. Nothing, read that again, nothing we go through down here is worthy to be compared to the glory that shall be revealed in us. Wow! Glory! Hallelujah! No words of praise can ever be enough to glorify Him. While our friends, family, and those we know are going through difficult hours, let us encourage them with this truth. Truly, as Brother Billy Kelly used to say, the best is yet to come!
Pastor F. J. Weems III