Glory, Wrath and Better Things
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed in us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God." ~ Romans 8:18~19
In this daily battle to live by faith, not by feelings or circumstances, I know that my prayers must be rooted in something more than mere formalities, words or temporal desires. They must be anchored in God's Word. And the promises and truths contained therein.
I can remember long before the trials involving my son's health, I subtly looked for those promises in the Bible that pertained to this life here. Or what I once believed had to do with the here and now. I recalled this morning when our church read aloud together Psalm 103..."Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases", (Psalm 103:2-3, ESV)
...yes "who heals all your diseases". I thought to myself, yes one day my son will be healed. That's a promise I can bank on. But only, only because of the verse right above it..."who forgives all your iniquity"...
because of Christ. Looking back to this, the precious gospel informs how I look forward. And the more I do this, the more I realize that nothing comforts me deeper that remembering the cross. Nothing brings more assurance.
At the same time this week, I'm reading in Ezekiel. I read chapter 10 when God's glory and presence leave the temple. Straight out. It's a breathtaking scene. Glory and wrath. Justice and God's holiness. And I think, "what must have been the wrath that Christ endured for me?"
And I am grateful for that other scene. The one on Calvary. The one that ensures my welcoming in to a place where God's glory and presence will never leave. And then I consider the present sufferings compared to that. And all comes center again in my heart and head.
It seems silly now that I used to chase lesser, temporal joys fully expecting a long lasting satisfaction. Oh, I still do...don't get me wrong. But I'm seeing now that what I learned, through the Holy Spirit, in the crucible of afflictions was meant to bring lasting change in my life. When I clung so tightly to His word back then, it was never meant to be forgotten...but continued. Because God had better things for me.
And still does.
I can remember long before the trials involving my son's health, I subtly looked for those promises in the Bible that pertained to this life here. Or what I once believed had to do with the here and now. I recalled this morning when our church read aloud together Psalm 103..."Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases", (Psalm 103:2-3, ESV)
...yes "who heals all your diseases". I thought to myself, yes one day my son will be healed. That's a promise I can bank on. But only, only because of the verse right above it..."who forgives all your iniquity"...
because of Christ. Looking back to this, the precious gospel informs how I look forward. And the more I do this, the more I realize that nothing comforts me deeper that remembering the cross. Nothing brings more assurance.
At the same time this week, I'm reading in Ezekiel. I read chapter 10 when God's glory and presence leave the temple. Straight out. It's a breathtaking scene. Glory and wrath. Justice and God's holiness. And I think, "what must have been the wrath that Christ endured for me?"
And I am grateful for that other scene. The one on Calvary. The one that ensures my welcoming in to a place where God's glory and presence will never leave. And then I consider the present sufferings compared to that. And all comes center again in my heart and head.
It seems silly now that I used to chase lesser, temporal joys fully expecting a long lasting satisfaction. Oh, I still do...don't get me wrong. But I'm seeing now that what I learned, through the Holy Spirit, in the crucible of afflictions was meant to bring lasting change in my life. When I clung so tightly to His word back then, it was never meant to be forgotten...but continued. Because God had better things for me.
And still does.
Comments