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 – Matthew 26:1-25; Numbers 35-36; Job 3
Laos is a country of Southeast Asia where Communism is dominant. In Laos, Christianity is a minority religion, and the Laotian government heavily monitors all Church activities because it sees Christianity as a Western ideology that challenges Communism. In 2018, violence against Christians increased, with the government often cooperating with community leaders like Buddhist monks to pressure Christians, especially new converts.
Converts to Christianity face the most severe forms of persecution. This is because abandoning Buddhism or tribal animist beliefs is seen as a betrayal by family members and the community. Consequently, believers are persecuted by their immediate and extended family (usually one Laotian household is composed of three generations under one roof). Also, they are persecuted by local authorities who often stir up the community and sometimes even drive them out of their villages. Today many Christians in Laos still languish in prison because they would not give in to the government’s condition for their release, which is to sign a document recanting their commitment to Christ. No matter what they suffer, they count it all joy, focusing rather on bringing glory to God through their situation.
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.”
Life is in phases and seasons. Sometimes we can pass through seasons of trials where it seems we are in the fiery furnace, but whatever we go through, we should know that the end result of the trial should always culminate in praise to God.
We have to understand that in the midst of the trial, God is working out a higher purpose. Though the enemy may bring trials and temptations, God still causes it all to work out together for our good when we trust in Him.
The Bible says that Jesus, for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross. He knew it was a very difficult task, but He also knew that beyond the cross, joy waited for Him. So he endured the cross because of this anticipated joy.
In the same way, we should be joyful even in the midst of trials. Storms are not meant to kill you but rather they make you stronger. The purifying process is meant to result in the revelation of God’s glory in 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.”
God uses the trials to reveal His glory in us. Temptations and trials come to everyone. Isaiah 43:2 says, ”When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned.” The Bible didn’t say ‘if’ but ‘when.’ This means we will all surely pass through the fire at some points in life. Apostle Peter says we should not think these trials strange. Indeed, there is no temptation that comes our way that is not common to man.

No matter what we are going through, we should always give God praise. The battle is not yours but the Lord’s. We must learn to praise God through the storm. When we praise God, we hand over our battles to Him. Indeed, God is fearful in praises.
No matter what you may face, don’t ever let the devil steal your joy. Shake off the gloom he’s trying to cover you with. Praise God in the face of your problems. Sing in the midst of your stress. Shout Hallelujah, for your God is mighty. Forget not His benefits. God has indeed done great and mighty things for you. Instead of looking at what the enemy may be doing, rather use the time to count your blessings. You will be surprised to see what God has done already for you this year. Indeed, God has been faithful to us. He has been good to us. We are truly grateful for His great and marvelous doings in our lives. Let us, therefore, in everything keep praising Him, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us.
PRAYER: Lord, I know that You are good and You have indeed done all things well for me, please help me to always praise You, no matter what comes my way. Let nothing ever stop the continual flow of your praise from my lips in Jesus Name
QUOTE
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