Thursday, August 13, 2015

2 Corinthians 4:17,18 - The hardships we face

“Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

2 Corinthians 4:17 (NLT)



I read today’s verse and it just jumped out at me. It strengthened me in the faith and it seemed to have “power” in it when I read it. Ponder this verse a moment. See if it does the same thing for you. I have another NLT Bible in my house (dated a different year) and it words this verse a little different. It says “For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever!” Last forever! How great! It goes on to say in verse 18 “So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.” Hallelujah! “For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.”

Our troubles should not diminish or dampen our faith. God loves us. Just because we are facing something, does not mean that He doesn’t care or that He has withdrawn His love from us. We should know without a shadow of a doubt that God always has a purpose for our troubles, difficulties, and trying times. They draw us to Him, causing us to have a closer walk with Him if we respond accordingly. Not only that but we can be certain that we are going to receive “an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

Some of our troubles are not small in our eyes. They can seem to be very big. To God, though, they are small. Why, because He see’s the whole picture. He is doing something behind the scenes (and in our spiritual lives) that only He knows what He is doing, only He knows what He is accomplishing through it. He wants us to bring our troubles to Him in prayer and to lay them at His feet. Then He wants us to keep our eyes on heaven, what we have not seen, and the glory that will be ours when we get there.

I don’t know what you are facing today. I don’t know what hardship you are being asked to endure. Just be sure to endure it for His sake and by His Spirit. Remember that you will be rewarded in proportion to what you have suffered. Not only this, but know that your very life will be a positive example of His love, mercy, and grace for others to see His greatness and power flow in!


 Father, “Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” To this, we give thanks. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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