Future Glory

One of the difficult things for believers to comprehend is the idea of “glory”.   When I read verse 18 of Romans 8 I am reminded to think about this:  “¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”  There is a contrast in this verse between suffering and glory.  Remember that Paul was a man very acquainted with suffering. He experienced more than most. And yet in Paul’s mind and in His inspired writing, we read that the future glory revealed in believers is so much “better” than suffering.  Obviously, Paul isn’t telling us that glory is better than suffering.  That’s obvious.  I think that Paul is trying to call our attention to the amazing glory that awaits the believer, which far, far outweighs the current suffering.  My problem, and perhaps yours, is that the glory is “future” and the suffering is now.  The suffering seems so much worse because it is happening today.

I believe that this sentence is not simply to help us wait for a coming day when the glory will be revealed…longingly looking over the horizon.  Rather, I believe that the knowledge of this future glory is intended to help us to endure and engage with the suffering of this time.  We know that glory awaits and perhaps even increases as we engage with the suffering.  Perhaps you could spend a few minutes praising God for the glory that will one day be yours!