From Palms to Victory

Palms to Victory

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." (II Corinthians 4:17 KJ)
Are you going through any situations that are trying and difficult?
Are you suffering as a result of antagonistic persons?
Are you experiencing pressure from external circumstances bearing down upon you?
Get ready for the glory...

I like The Message Bible translation in verses 16-18:
"So we're not giving up. How could we? Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without His unfolding grace.

These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever."

Ah, yes, perhaps present affliction...but the flip side: future glory.
The scripture calls those afflictions "light" in contrast to the vast weight of the glory coming.

The timeline of our earthly troubles is but a moment compared to the eternal timelessness of the glory that awaits.

Our troubles work for us in the "now" as we allow Christs' power to manifest through us resulting in a far more exceeding compensation "then!"

That's why we can be bold, courageous, take risks, get out of the boat (ourselves) and walk on the water.

We know Jesus is calling us to keep walking toward Him and His ways.

The Apostle Paul's excitement also reminds us to LIVE joyfully, in the midst of our trying circumstances, with confidence and courage. How? Because we know how it plays out at the end.

Whether we're caught up in the now or dwelling on the future the focus we need is to keep the main thing in mind: cheerfully please God.

That's why, Paul said, we work urgently with everyone we meet to get them ready to face God. (II Cor. 5:8,9 and 11)

This week we remember the Hosanna's on Palm Sunday, the "crucify Him" on Friday and the Hallelujah's on Sunday morning as Jesus triumphantly rose from the dead…victorious over sin, sickness, death, hell and the grave.

The mountain top, to the valley and back up to complete victory. That's the journey of life for us all. He showed us how to go through it all to full triumph.

Keep the main thing the main thing.
Jesus died so that we could live, truly live. He commissioned each of us to share that good news with others until He returns.

The enemy uses the light affliction of the "now" to keep us distracted but we're aware of his schemes.

We've chosen to "keep on keepin' on" knowing full well that our final outcome is in God's capable hands.

Onward and upward you mighty soldiers of the cross.

Today's challenge:
Take time to read through the last few chapters of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Reflect on what this season truly means to us as New Testament believers.

Give thanks to the Lord for His great love for us. He alone is to be praised. 

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