The Hope of God and the Glory of God in Sufferings!

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” – Romans 5:3-4 NIV

Because the hope of God (1 Peter 1:3-9) is so amazing, we should glory in our sufferings, due to the fact that suffering produces perseverance and then character. However, in order to hold on the hope of God tightly until the end of the age, we should believe in Christ Jesus as “faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” (Hebrews 11:1) To be more specific, the hope of God is that we are able to spend with our heavenly Father in His eternal kingdom from the end of the age and what we hope in Christ Jesus for, it is actually going to happen if we stay focused on the kingdom of God (Colossians 3:1-4) and doing the will of God until the end of the age (Matthew 7:21).

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

Thus, for this reason, it is much better to glorify ourselves in our sufferings as they create perseverance. This is because the word of God states, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4) In other words, when we persevere for the glory of God, we test our faith in Christ Jesus to make sure that we are okay with our spiritual life, as faith in Christ Jesus is the primary equipment to continue on with godliness. In fact, we should abide in the Spirit of God to keep us godly until the end of the age (2 Peter 1:3-4). “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8).

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. (Galatians 5:24-25)

Secondly, we ought to know that being godliness until the end of the age is something that we should not boast about. Instead of boasting in ourselves and toward others in a such way that we have spiritual pride, we should glorify and thank God for supplying us with everything that supports our godliness but mainly about the Spirit of God. (Psalm 139:13-14). Furthermore, the word of God points out that God honors humble-person more than pride-person (Proverbs 11:2;18:12; 1 Peter 5:5) Hence, the word of God declares, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” (1 Peter 5:6) “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12) Thus, overall, perseverance creates character that we are able to know that we are children of God (John 1:12-13).

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. (Romans 8:14-17)

As for me, I often get conviction that I am willing to persevere my tiredness to write devotionals. This is because I want to do more things for God to glorify Him until the end of the age. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10) However, I often fail because I have to sleep when I am very tired, so I am able to get clear mindset to concertrate into the heart of God to write devotionals properly. Therefore, I am currently fixing my time-managements to do things for God and sleep early. Nevertheless, I trust the Holy Spirit to do this and everything that I do.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5-8)