Paul tells of a host of saints who endured their trials without ever seeing the other side of it: “Having obtained a good testimony through faith, [they] did not receive the promise. For God had something better in mind..., so that they would not reach perfection without us” (Heb. 11:39-40). The “perfection” of their faith waited until after all of us together would find our faith fully perfected in the suffering and resurrection of Christ.
And therein lies the secret to enduring hard times—by keeping our eyes on Jesus..., who perfects our faith; and who, for the joy awaiting him, endured the cross, disregarding its shame, [knowing that afterward], He would sit at God’s throne (Heb. 12:2, edited). Now if we can just remember this “beforehand.”
Thank you Greg. Yesterday the Lord was reminding me of this verse in Hebrews 12:3 "Consider hIm who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." And also "the trial of faith", the refining of gold.
ReplyDeletethank you for those good verses. And one more that I wanted to use, "after you have suffered for awhile, God Himself will establish, perfect... you."
ReplyDeleteGood morning Greg,
ReplyDeleteI am grateful that we can claim the promise that no permanent harm may befall us. And not to focus too much on prepositional words, but "through" the valley of the shadow of death does not have the same suffering level as "in" the valley. And am I ever grateful that God is with us!
By the way, would you rather be hit by the bus or the shadow of a bus (re: shadow of death)?
Godspeed!
Larry Q