Daily Devotionals

Mornings and Evenings with Jesus

Devotional: December 17th

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall he revealed in us. - Romans 8:18.

LET us consider the comparison here made by the apostle. The one state so far transcends the other, that it is, properly speaking, a contrast here rather than a comparison; and this will appear in two things. First, As to the duration of it. The sacred writers laboured for expressions to describe the brevity of the saints’ suffering-period. They called it “a season.” They tell us the saints shall suffer persecution ten days; they call it an hour, yea, they call it a moment, and even a small moment: -“For a small moment have I forsaken thee.” But suppose now that Christians should be chastened every morning and tried every evening all through life! What is life itself but “a vapour that appeareth for a little while, and then vanisheth away”? What but as “a dream when one awaketh”? Can we compare this small moment-this light affliction, which is but for a moment- with the “far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory”? Can we compare this momentary suffering with “an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,” where there is no danger of foes, no possibility of decay?-where they die no more,-where death itself is dead? Can we compare it with the language of Isaiah, “The Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended”?

Then, Secondly, With regard to the degree as well as the duration. This too is contrast rather than comparison. It is impossible that one of our trials should make us as miserable as the others should render us happy. Our sufferings, the Christian’s sufferings, however severe, have their alleviations, and our grateful minds ought to dwell upon this much more than they do. The apostle says, “As these sufferings for Christ abound, so our consolations also abound by Christ.” And can we say of our losses, that we can retain no one thing, but that all is taken away? And, besides all this, what compensation God affords us in the midst of our trials! as it is said in Ezekiel, “Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come.” So David, when he saw all was destroyed at Ziklag, “encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” And we should remember this, -that “the Lord stayeth his rough wind in the day of his east wind.” “The glory to be revealed,” our poet thus describes:-

“Full bliss is bliss divine, and this is bliss.”

Our cup will be entirely filled, up to the very brim, and there will be no mixture whatever in it. No, there will be no want unsupplied, no hope unaccomplished; no, we shall no more say, “I am sick.” All tears shall be wiped away. What comparison, therefore, is there between the sufferings of this present time in duration and degree, and the glory that is to be revealed in us? But we have one thing more.

Observe the person making this relative estimate: it is Paul. “I reckon;” and there never was a person so qualified to judge as he. We see, then, that he had two peculiar qualifications, yea, two exclusive advantages, in making this assertion. First, He was inspired; he spake as he was moved by the Holy Ghost; and his inspiration preserved him from any possibility of mistake or error. We know, therefore, his witness is true.

Then, Secondly, He had much personal experience. It will be readily admitted that he knew well from experience what the sufferings of this present time were. He was a sufferer for Christ’s sake. Of his sufferings for the Redeemer’s cause he speaks in one place thus:-“For whom I have suffered the loss of all things.” He knew also something of the glory that is to be revealed, in a manner which no other human being ever did. So then we see he was qualified more than any other person, both from personal knowledge and experience, as well as being inspired; therefore he could say, “I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed.”

The word of Christ. - Colossians 3:16.

THE Scriptures are a revelation of Christ. “These things,” says the Apostle John, “are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Son of Cod, and that believing ye might have life through his name;” and therefore they are called “the word of Christ,” not only because he is their Author, but because he is their theme; not only because it is a revelation from him, but also of him; he is the subject of the whole; and if we search the Scriptures we shall find this to be the fact; for “they testify of me,” says the Saviour.

He here referred to the Old Testament Scriptures, of the treasures of which he is the key, by which alone we can open them, and make these stores of knowledge our own. This will appear if we take the historical parts, if we look through the Bible at all the eminently pious characters recorded there.

In Adam we see him as the federal head and representative of his people. In Noah as the restorer of a new world. In Joseph we see him sold by his brethren, and then saving them, as being humbled and exalted. In Moses we see him as the Lawgiver. In Aaron as the High Priest of our profession. In Joshua as the Captain of our salvation, as Leader and Commander to the people. In Solomon as the Prince of peace. And if we take the Levitical part of Scripture, we shall find him all here. We shall see him in the manna, as the bread which came down from heaven; in the waters of the smitten rock, as the consolation of Israel, and the source of all those refreshing supplies that attend us in our wanderings through the wilderness. We see him in the table of shew-bread; and in the mercy-seat as the propitiation for our sins. In the passover as the lamb whose blood, sprinkled upon the conscience, secures us from the destroying angel; and in the bleeding lamb that was offered, the blood which cleanseth from all sin. In all these, and in the tabernacle and the temple, we shall find that they were shadows of good things to come, of which the body was Christ.

Then if we examine the prophetical Scriptures we shall find that he is all there too. To him gave all the prophets witness, some more partially, others more fully. Prophecy apart from him is nothing but the shell without the kernel; the casket without the jewel, for “the testimony of Jesus” is the Spirit of prophecy. And the promissory part of Scripture all centre in him; for the promises in all their amplitude and preciousness are declared to be “yea and amen in Christ Jesus, to the glory of God by us.”

But more especially are the New Testament Scriptures a revelation of Jesus Christ. This is the record which God hath given of his Son. ‘The record of the incarnation, birth, life, miracles, sayings, sufferings, death, resurrection, and ascension of the Son of God. And so is the epistolary portion of the New Testament the word of Christ, the writers of which all could exclaim, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” And this it is that renders the Scriptures so interesting, and so delightful to trace:

“There my Redeemer’s face I see,

And read his love who died for me.”