Lent: Week 2
FEBRUARY 18–24
Fasting Suggestion: Television and Movies
That show you’re in the middle of? Spend that time in the Word and prayer this week. Have a normal family movie night? Make it a special family devo time. Let’s replace our entertainment with the fullness of joy in God’s presence this week.
Verse to Memorize: Revelation 5:7
Devotional by Pastor Dave Zuleger
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.––Romans 8:16–18
Those who trust in Christ have no condemnation (Romans 8:1), belong to God as his children, and will inherit all things with him. That’s amazing news that helps us feel security, safety, and satisfaction in this life––to free us from fear and frustration. But the road to that inheritance as his children is suffering. Suffering will come and our call is to “suffer with Jesus”––that is to endure suffering as a Christian would. To understand the purposes and promises of suffering and keep trusting Jesus in the midst of suffering.
And the good news is that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing to the glory that is coming. If suffering feels big, weighty, and long right now––the promise is that glory with Jesus will make it look like a drop in a bucket compared to oceans of glory. This promise is meant to help us take heart and endure.
It is not meant to ignore our suffering or pretend it’s not hard. It’s meant to reframe our suffering in light of eternal glory and reorient our hearts in the suffering to the promises of the One who has bought us as his children. So, whatever it is you’re going through right now, walk with Jesus through it and in it. Know this suffering is a pathway to glory. And know that nobody will get to glory and say, “the suffering wasn’t worth it.” Instead, we will all realize the glory is so much fuller than we could ever imagine.
