Romans 8:18 ‘For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
DAILY READING – Acts 4:23-37; Deuteronomy 21-22; Job 14
The California Gold rush was the most famous gold rush in American history. It all began on January 24, 1848, when a man named James W. Marshall while building a sawmill saw something glitter in a nearby creek. When he went to check the glittering, to his greatest surprise he discovered nuggets of gold. And though he tried to keep the news secret, the story of his gold discovery soon began to spread. People in other towns hearing the story began to rush to California hoping to discover gold too and strike it rich. This marked the beginning of the California Gold Rush. The sparsely populated town soon saw an influx of about 300,000 people. Roads, churches, schools and other towns were built throughout California. And in a few months, on September 1850., the sudden population increase caused the town of California, to become elevated to a state.
It is indeed amazing how the discovery of gold suddenly transformed California. Throughout history, gold together with silver have been highly sought after. However, the process of refining silver and gold to become valuable metals is not easy. It involves putting the metals through intense heat that literally burns and consumes all the impurities in them. In refining silver for example, the silver smith, keeps the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames are hottest so as to burn away all the impurities. He knows the silver is ready when he heats it to the point where he can see his reflection in the metal.
Likewise God often allows us to pass through processes where we are refined and purified until the image of Christ is reflected in us.
1 Peter 1:6–7 says “Now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold, which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Though the enemy may bring trials and temptations, God still causes it all to work out together for our good. Life is in phases and seasons. There are times it may feel as if we are in the fiery furnace. But whatever we go through, we should know that it is all for a reason and it will last only for a season. And the end result should always culminate in praise to God. The Bible says that, Jesus for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross. The same way, we should be joyful even in the midst of trials knowing that the end result is for glory to be revealed in and through us.
Romans 8:18 says “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
And 1 Peter 4:12-13 says “ Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trail which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you; But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”
We should praise God at all times. Sing in the midst of your stress. Celebrate God in the face of trials. The battle is not yours, but The Lords. Shout Hallelujah, for your God is mighty. Never forget His benefits. God has indeed done great and mighty things for us this year, when we look back and deliberately count our blessings we will be amazed. Therefore in everything lets keep praising God. In the midst of high praises, God causes us to ride upon our high places.
PRAYER: Lord, I know that You are good and You have indeed done all things well for me. Therefore, let nothing ever stop the continual flow of Your praise from my mouth now and forever in Jesus Name.
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Praise always guarantees you power for a raise, learning to praise God in season and out of season is key to fulfilling destiny. – WORDBITE 222.