Oh God, Our Hope (Week 3) - Monday Morning Devotions
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Once again, we turn to God's Sacred Word for an encouraging perspective on life now and life to come to come for those who trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior. This time we reflect on the words of the Apostle Paul, from his letter to the saints in Rome, in the eighth chapter of Romans, beginning with the eighteenth verse. Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, writes:
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time
are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
I think it is our nature to make comparisons. We compare siblings with one another. We compare various items we are considering buying. But have you ever compared your suffering to what is yet to come in paradise? For many, there is little or no thought for the eternal future, it is all about the here and the now!
For the believer and follower of Jesus, we are blessed when we look beyond the suffering of today and instead look forward to the glory yet to be revealed.
Here is verse two of Isaac Watts’ hymn entitled: 'O God, Our Help in Ages Past':
Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.
But what is a saint?
You might reason there is no way you are a saint, nor is possible for you ever to become a saint. But I have Good News for you: You do not have to do anything to become a saint. Even better News: Nor do you have to stop doing anything in order to become a saint.
So how does one become a saint? A saint is someone who has been blessed by the Holy Spirit with the gift of faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. You are a saint today if you have faith in Jesus who paid for your sin and rose victoriously. You don't have to do a thing, nor stop doing a thing to become a saint. Saints dwell securely with Jesus, our sure defense against the Evil One and his lies and accusations.
[One further point regarding living as a saint: when God's Spirit takes up residence, an individual saint will change, being transformed from the inside out.]
Please pray with me: Almighty God the Father; through Jesus Christ, Your only-begotten Son, our Lord, You have overcome death and opened the gate of everlasting life to us. We humbly pray that we may live before You in righteousness and purity forever; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.