01/09/2022
We live our lives being confronted, and buffeted at every turn, by the tribulation, pain, and suffering, that is common to this world. As we endure these challenges it is easy for us to begin believing that they will overcome us, or that they have such a hold on us that there is no escape from them, but this is not true. Suddenly, at the height of our agony, we are given a glimpse of God’s glory; sometimes for no more than an instant, or if need be, for longer, and in those moments we realize that these things we endure now are insignificant when compared to what awaits us. Our Hope, and faith, are increased many fold by these tiny visions of glory, and we are restored.
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.”
Romans 8:18-19 ESV
There are many things we will face in life, and some of them will take us to the doorstep of death before something happens, and we are saved. When these instances occur, and we are saved, there will be those who will rationalize them, and tell us that we were just fortunate, lucky, or saved in ways that can be explained naturally. Perhaps a doctor operated on us, a passerby performed CPR, the weather suddenly changed, or some other thing happened that makes their argument seem plausible, but to us, who have been given a glimpse of God’s glory, we see His hand in those moments, and it changes our lives… it gives us amazing faith, and strengthens our hope. We know in these instances that all of creation has been subjected to God’s will, and that quite often its nature was made to yield to Him so that we can be shown His glory.
“For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope”
Romans 8:20 ESV
I had a cancerous tumor, and it became painful as it grew larger. I made trip after trip to various doctors, but was told each time that it was an infection, or some other minor irritation, and this went on for over two years. Then one day I was having a routine physical and just as I was putting on my clothes to leave, I asked my Internist to examine my trouble spot. He immediately told me that this wasn’t minor, and sent me to a specialist who agreed, and within days it was removed. You might think this was just a doctor making the right diagnosis, and another performing an operation, but there is more.
After my operation I was called in to do my post-op visit, and the surgeon read me the results of the Pathologist’s report, and diagnosis. This tumor was definitely cancerous, and a very nasty type that will spread fast, and be beyond hope in less than two years. He went on to tell me that I was fortunate to have caught this, and that he was able to remove it before it broke containment. At this I gave him the history of my visits, all the times I had been told it was nothing, and how this had been going on for the last two years. I asked him how this tumor had not only remained localized, but had stayed confined to that one organ for all this time. He looked at me in silence before at last he said… “I can’t explain that.”… but I could. I left his office with my wife, and as we walked to the car, we looked at each other, and agreed that this had been a miracle.
You see, there was a prayer team of three elders at our church, and several years prior one of those men had died. In all these years they had not replaced him. Well just before my diagnosis they had called me in, and asked me to replace their lost member. They said that I should talk to Ann before accepting because this would take time, and that I would be unable to discuss our prayers with anyone… not even her. So I spoke to Ann, and she immediately told me that she had a dream two years earlier that they had asked me to join that group. Then she asked “What took them so long?” I joined the group, was diagnosed with cancer the following week, and we prayed together for my healing during my second prayer meeting with the group… the tumor was remove the third week, and the rest is history. God gives us a glimpse of glory. That tumor had been held at bay as God’s plan for me had been worked out… all in His perfect time.
“that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”
Romans 8:21-25 ESV
So what is the tribulation, the pain, and suffering we are enduring right now that is waiting on God to reveal Himself through it? Do we even know what awaits us? When we do come to know, will it be apparent to us, and will we see it as a natural occurrence, or a glimpse of His glory?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for revealing yourself to us in the midst of our trials, tribulations, and suffering. Thank you for giving us a glimpse of your glory, and using it to strengthen us in faith, and hope. Thank you Lord for taking what has not been seen, and showing it to us, that we might believe, just as Thomas believed. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who is glorious beyond our most incredible ability to dream, and who gives us glimpses of your glory to strengthen and encourage us. Praised be your name for every glimpse we are allowed, the seemingly insignificant, and the grandest miracles that bring us to our knees in praise. Merciful are you who reaches out to us in miracles, dreams, prophesy, and signs, so that we might believe all the more. Through these occurrences your grace is made evident, and we are led to you. Thank you for your Son Jesus through whom you have touched the sick, eased the heartache of those who mourn, and done too many miraculous things to document. Wash us Father in His blood, and cleans us of our sin. Show us your desire to forgive us, redeem us, and call us your children. Seat us in your presence where we will bask in your glory, joy, and peace, forevermore. Praised be your name now in faith and hope, but then we will see, and know you in the reality of who you are.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:35-39 ESV
Rich Forbes