Consider how the Contemporary English Version translates verse 17 of last week’s devotional centered on 2 Corinthians 4:16-18:
These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing. (CEV).
How are our trials “getting us ready” for heaven, where we will praise God eternally for everything we went through to get us there? This is where Paul’s statement in Romans 5 comes in as discussed in Weekly Devotional 16:
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4
I’m no theologian and have no credentials that allow me to do a credible exegesis of these verses, but I have thought a lot about how my “troubles” have shed some light for me on this scripture. Persevering in faith through severe trials (for me, physical, but they could be spiritual, relational, financial, etc.), and seeing God’s hand helping me to endure, gives me assurance that my “living hope” (1 Peter 1:3) of a future in heaven is not in vain. I mean, why would God be constantly bringing Romans 8:28 true each day if it were not to get me “ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing”? God will get me there; I need only to persevere and not give up my hope of heaven.
