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; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ezekiel 12-13; Isaiah 43

A remarkable example of being thankful in the midst of difficulties is the story of a German pastor named Martin Rinkart, who lived over 400 years ago.
Martin was the son of a poor coppersmith in the small village of Eilenburg in Saxony. His desire to serve God and be a blessing to people in his village motivated him to work his way to study at the University of Leipzig. There he developed his musical gifts and later returned to serve as a Lutheran pastor in his village.
At this time, the Thirty Years’ War broke out which was one of the longest and most brutal wars in Europe.
Throughout the years of the war, Martin Rinkart, stood by his flock, and helped them in every way he could.
The war caused the plague of 1637 which visited their town with extraordinary severity. The town was overcrowded with fugitives and people died rampantly. Martin Rinckart worked tirelessly, praying for the sick and dying and eventually he buried more than 4,000 persons. But amazingly through all his labours he himself remained perfectly well.
The pestilence was followed by a famine so extreme that thirty or forty persons might be seen fighting in the streets for a dead cat. Rinckart, gave away virtually all he had to help people. To be able to provide bread and clothing for his children, he was forced to mortgage his future income for several years.
Yet in the midst of these great trials, he wrote a hymn which expressed his unbounded trust and gratitude to God.
The German title of the hymn is “Nun danket alle Gott”, which is translated in English as “Now thank we all our God”. It became Martin Rinkart’s best known hymn and today remains the most widely sung hymn in Germany. This glorious hymn which blesses people around the world, and has been translated into many languages, is a reminder to always give God thanks even in the midst of severe difficulties.

Serving God does not mean we will never have difficulties. But we must understand that God is faithful and will never put upon us more than we can bear. Sometimes, tribulation is only an indication of the grace He has given us to overcome the situation.
No one on earth is exempt from trials. But despite the difficult times, we have to deliberately make gratitude our attitude. We don’t thank God for trials, we thank Him in them. Because no matter how fierce the fire, God always shows up to deliver those who trust in Him.
In the Bible, David passed through many battles and challenges despite the fact that he was serving God. But as he continued to bless God in the midst of it all, he eventually wrote in Psalm 30:11 ‘Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;’
Just like David, we may go through trials and tribulations, but that’s not how our story ends. Certainly, a turnaround season is coming. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy is coming in the morning.
We should have the attitude that says, “No matter what’s happening, I’m going to choose to be grateful to God.’
The truth is that God is always faithful. If we look back at our lives, at past trials, we will see that despite all we passed through, God’s grace has always brought us through.
Certainly, the tests are for our testimony and the fire only comes to reveal God’s glory in our lives.

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’

In other words your sufferings will only culminate in greater glory in the end. Therefore no matter what you may pass through today, be assured that a turnaround is coming. God is about to turn sickness into health, bondages into freedom and lack into abundance. Every Pharaoh holding you back is about to free you in a hurry.
It is a new day for you. Surely, God will give you the victory at last. This is why we praise Him in all things. Because His grace and mercy never runs out, they are new every morning. And today, as we give thanks in everything and bless the Lord at all times, He will level every mountain and turn obstacles into our miracles.

PRAYER: Lord, Please grant me the grace to always give You worthy praise at all times. No matter what happens around me, I thank You for always being in total control and perfecting all that concerns me in Jesus Name.
QUOTE;
Your attitude always determines your altitude in life. –WORDBITE 222.