In Romans 8:18, Paul declares, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

Paul knew suffering (2 Cor 11:23-28) and if you read the passage I just pointed you to, he knew suffering in far greater ways, than I have. I don’t know everyone’s story who may read this, but I would venture to guess, that this is the case for you as well.

In light of Paul’s suffering, it is comforting that he says that whatever he has suffered is not worthy to be compared to the glory that is to be revealed to him and for all who are in Christ.

I’ve been in a modular seminary class this weekend and one of the truths our prof keeps pointing out, is that future hope produces godly living. How is it that in the midst of trials, any person could endure with joy? How is it that in the throws of suffering one can continue to live in a holy manner? Job’s wife in the beginning of his trial told him to curse God and die! (Job 2:9) How does one who is suffering with immense pain keep from doing this? It is all with hope in view.

If you’ve been around me or the church where I shepherd, you’ve heard me or one of our other elders say that hope in Scripture is no wishful thinking, but a confident expectation of what will happen, because God has promised it will.

With the reality of God’s promise before us, we place the present trials and suffering we might be facing and (possibly with difficulty, I understand!) we compare those with what awaits (no pain, no suffering, being present in the glory of God, to name a few) and we see, in fact there is no comparison! This then prompts us to submit and faithfully live in obedience to the one who gives us this hope, recognizing this is only temporary and what awaits is indeed eternal. (2 Cor. 4:17-18)