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And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we
also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces
perseverance; perseverance, character; character, hope. And hope does
not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts
by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:2-5
These verses are not about suffering, really. Rather they are about hope
-- but suffering is where our minds go when we read them. Perhaps that
is because there is so much suffering in this life. Perhaps it is
because the idea of rejoicing during suffering is so alien to us. "What
kind of a whacko God tells you to rejoice in suffering?" we ask
ourselves. We conclude that God is either out-of-touch with our pain or
enjoys our pain since it does so much good. Neither of those conclusions
are correct. He knows what it is to suffer -- Jesus proved that on the
cross.
The miraculous thing is that God could make anything good come out of
suffering at all. Those who suffer in Christ end up putting all their
hope in him. There is simply nowhere else to go. He responds to our hope
by filling our hearts with amazing love (see above).
Jesus' words on the cross show a supernatural love for friends, enemies
and God in the middle of great suffering. "Father forgive them, for they
do not know what they are doing," and, "Father, into your hands I commit
my spirit," are some of his dying words. The great hope in suffering is
that we will begin to love God and others as Jesus loved; and that is a
good reason to rejoice.
In His name,
-Mike
eDevotions written by Mike Sares. © 2005. |
