Home > Reading > The Daily Lectionary – July 9, 2016

romans8-25

Numbers 24:12–25; Romans 8:18–25; Matthew 22:23–40

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Rom 8:18)

The theme of that verse is that great glory lies ahead—glory beyond description, beyond compare. All through the Scriptures there has been a thread of hope, a rumor of hope that runs all through the Old Testament, through the prophetic writings, and into the New Testament. This rumor speaks of a day that is coming when all the hurt and heartache and injustice and weakness and suffering will be explained and justified, resulting in a time of incredible blessing upon the earth. Now, that statement would be just hot air if it did not come from a man like Paul. Here is a man who suffered intensely—beaten, stoned with rocks, chained, imprisoned, shipwrecked, starved, often hungry and naked and cold—all for the gospel. Our sufferings hurt us. Yet, we can learn from Paul who takes pen in hand and writes that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that shall be revealed in us. The glory that is coming is greater in strength.

Prayer: Lord, assist me in my suffering as I await the fullness of the hope you have given me in your glory that awaits me. Amen.

Today’s devotion was written by Dieter Punt, Pastor at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Troutman, NC.

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