Suffering and Glory
There was a report tonight on the news about 'Survival Jobs.' It dealt with those who lost their high paying jobs and are now not unemployed, but are working for much less than they previously made. I fit in that category. We're getting by--for now.
Many are much less fortunate, I realize. Hardship has hit everyone in some way--some more severely than others. Before all this economic mayhem is over, everyone will be affected.
I'm reminded tonight that desperation always precedes deliverance, as my friend Tullian often says. The cross always comes before the crown. I found these words from my "Amma," Elisabeth Elliot encouraging and pass them onto you.
Many are much less fortunate, I realize. Hardship has hit everyone in some way--some more severely than others. Before all this economic mayhem is over, everyone will be affected.
I'm reminded tonight that desperation always precedes deliverance, as my friend Tullian often says. The cross always comes before the crown. I found these words from my "Amma," Elisabeth Elliot encouraging and pass them onto you.
Over and over in the Bible we are told that there is a correlation between suffering and glory. The reason lies deep in the mystery of evil, for of course there could be no suffering for creation, for beasts or men, or for the Son of Man, had not evil entered the world. But the story does not end with suffering.
"In Jesus we see one...crowned now with glory and honor because He suffered death" (Heb 2:9 NEB).
If we concentrate on that marvelous sequence, we will find in the midst of our own pain a great shaft of light. There is glory above us, shining down into our darkness, reminding us that "if we suffer with Him" (we need never suffer without Him, for He has entered into all our weakness, into death itself for us) "we shall also reign with him"(2 Tm 2:12 AV).
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour,
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.
(William Cowper)
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