“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18, ESV)
Following World War 2, most Japanese people simply tried to make ends meet and find a decent income. The war had destroyed many Japanese industries, leveling factories, leaving whole cities in ruin. During this difficult time, food and jobs were scarce. Moreso, Japanese companies found it difficult to produce or export products. However, a man named Akio Morita developed a transistor radio, the first of its kind, as well as a rice cooker and some other products. His transistor radio was especially valued as rugged and portable, as no other company in the world had such a product. Several foreign companies sought to buy out the patent for the transistor radio from Morita. Despite the windfall of money that would accompany such a buy, Morita saw promise in his little company and in their inventions, especially the transistor radio. He was willing to put in hard work, long hours, and overcome great difficulties in order to give work to Japanese citizens and help rebuild his country.
During the decades following his first inventions, Morita hired more and more unemployed and underemployed people, reinvigorating whole sections of the Japanese economy. Morita persevered through all those difficult days, starting a company now known as Sony. Sony has become a world leader in electronics, designing products for the automotive industry, cameras, personal electronics, the Walkman, game consoles, robots, telecommunication devices, computer components, and more. But it all started with a man who was willing to suffer through a difficult period of history in order to bring great benefits to Japan and the entire world. He didn’t sell out when it could have been so easy to do so!
Many people refuse to face their present problems, challenges, trials, disabilities, or financial issues. It is relatively common for these to take the easy road and give up when God wants them to endure. Christians have also fallen into this error. Despite many biblical examples of those who overcame great obstacles to be a blessing, too many Christians prefer to throw in the towel when things get tough or get depressed rather than make a change. They become “sell outs” to the modern age.
Today’s scripture is a call to arms for those who desire to give up or give in when God wants them to soldier on. In Romans 8:18, the apostle Paul wrote “that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us”. When Paul wrote these words, Christians were struggling all over the known world. In the Roman Empire, Christians were dying in the arenas. They were persecuted all over Asia Minor in places like Ephesus, Philippi (see 1 Thessalonians 2:1), Smyrna (see Revelation 2:8-10), and elsewhere. Paul himself was eventually imprisoned for a very long time, then executed in Rome. Despite the terrible sufferings, Paul wanted Christians to focus on “the glory that is to be revealed to us”, which included Heaven. Paul wanted the faithful to endure the suffering, knowing how precious the gospel message was and is for all the world. Paul had hope that all those who faced trials and persecutions and famines and illness kept their hope in God even when things looked bleak.
In a comment on today’s scripture, David Jeremiah included this insight:
“Far too often our focus is on today’s suffering instead of tomorrow’s reward…. We frequently experience significant, unexplained, even undeserved suffering in this life. But the apostle Paul tells us to hold on—don’t sell out! The suffering of this life—or the temporary relief we might enjoy by giving up our faith—cannot compare with the glory and rewards that await us in heaven.” (p. 49, Morning and Evening Devotions).
I once became a friend to a man who had 38 surgeries to deal with an accident at work. He was fully disabled, unable to work, and in pain every day of his life following the accident. Initially, I expected him to be pessimistic, depressed, and apathetic. Instead, he was an inspiration! He once told me how he endured daily pain: “I do not let myself spiral down into depression. Instead, I remind myself over and over that I get to read my Bible and pray every day! Where I used to work twelve hours a day, now I get to show love to my wife and children every day! I focus on all the blessings I have rather than the things I’ve lost!”
This man was and is an inspiration to me. With my own full-time disability, I could easily succumb to depression and apathy. Instead, I focus on things like this scripture from the Apostle Paul urging me to keep my focus on Heaven! I look for blessings all around me. I fight against spiraling into depression or apathy by finding inspiration and hope in heavenly places and faithful people!
How well do you keep your eyes focused on your reward in Heaven? Are you apt to slide into depression when things don’t go your way? Are you willing to endure suffering to do what God wills? Are you willing to forego short-term benefits for eternal rewards? How you live your life tells a lot about what you believe.
During the decades following his first inventions, Morita hired more and more unemployed and underemployed people, reinvigorating whole sections of the Japanese economy. Morita persevered through all those difficult days, starting a company now known as Sony. Sony has become a world leader in electronics, designing products for the automotive industry, cameras, personal electronics, the Walkman, game consoles, robots, telecommunication devices, computer components, and more. But it all started with a man who was willing to suffer through a difficult period of history in order to bring great benefits to Japan and the entire world. He didn’t sell out when it could have been so easy to do so!
Many people refuse to face their present problems, challenges, trials, disabilities, or financial issues. It is relatively common for these to take the easy road and give up when God wants them to endure. Christians have also fallen into this error. Despite many biblical examples of those who overcame great obstacles to be a blessing, too many Christians prefer to throw in the towel when things get tough or get depressed rather than make a change. They become “sell outs” to the modern age.
Today’s scripture is a call to arms for those who desire to give up or give in when God wants them to soldier on. In Romans 8:18, the apostle Paul wrote “that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us”. When Paul wrote these words, Christians were struggling all over the known world. In the Roman Empire, Christians were dying in the arenas. They were persecuted all over Asia Minor in places like Ephesus, Philippi (see 1 Thessalonians 2:1), Smyrna (see Revelation 2:8-10), and elsewhere. Paul himself was eventually imprisoned for a very long time, then executed in Rome. Despite the terrible sufferings, Paul wanted Christians to focus on “the glory that is to be revealed to us”, which included Heaven. Paul wanted the faithful to endure the suffering, knowing how precious the gospel message was and is for all the world. Paul had hope that all those who faced trials and persecutions and famines and illness kept their hope in God even when things looked bleak.
In a comment on today’s scripture, David Jeremiah included this insight:
“Far too often our focus is on today’s suffering instead of tomorrow’s reward…. We frequently experience significant, unexplained, even undeserved suffering in this life. But the apostle Paul tells us to hold on—don’t sell out! The suffering of this life—or the temporary relief we might enjoy by giving up our faith—cannot compare with the glory and rewards that await us in heaven.” (p. 49, Morning and Evening Devotions).
I once became a friend to a man who had 38 surgeries to deal with an accident at work. He was fully disabled, unable to work, and in pain every day of his life following the accident. Initially, I expected him to be pessimistic, depressed, and apathetic. Instead, he was an inspiration! He once told me how he endured daily pain: “I do not let myself spiral down into depression. Instead, I remind myself over and over that I get to read my Bible and pray every day! Where I used to work twelve hours a day, now I get to show love to my wife and children every day! I focus on all the blessings I have rather than the things I’ve lost!”
This man was and is an inspiration to me. With my own full-time disability, I could easily succumb to depression and apathy. Instead, I focus on things like this scripture from the Apostle Paul urging me to keep my focus on Heaven! I look for blessings all around me. I fight against spiraling into depression or apathy by finding inspiration and hope in heavenly places and faithful people!
How well do you keep your eyes focused on your reward in Heaven? Are you apt to slide into depression when things don’t go your way? Are you willing to endure suffering to do what God wills? Are you willing to forego short-term benefits for eternal rewards? How you live your life tells a lot about what you believe.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Wonderful Lord and my God! I cherish my relationship with You! I long to be with You in Heaven!
You are the source of true love in this fallen world! Your holiness is unrivaled. Your blessings are to be cherished! How I love to sing Your praises and offer You my thanksgiving!
Today, I pray for all those who face trials and tribulation, those who are suffering, and those who are oppressed. This world is filled with sinful people who enjoy hurting others. Evil has captured the souls of many. Evil spirits run rampant. Help me to stand up against all evil and be a sign of Your Kingdom to come! Help me to withstand all the attacks of the Evil One. Help me to be a beacon of hope in a desperate world!
I pray for all those who today will face evil head-on. I pray for those enduring the hardships of war. I pray for those who endure persecution simply because they love Jesus! I pray for the handicapped and those who have been injured by life.
Hear my prayer, today, dear Lord! I especially pray for these people enduring challenges: ___________________________ . I pray for these people to find a real faith in you: ______________________________ . I pray for strength in those who encounter oppression. I pray for Your truth to break forth to darkened minds! I pray for Your love to overcome all the negativity of modern hatreds.
In the name of Jesus, keep me faithful! Someday, I will face You! May that day be jubilant, not feared! Amen.
Wonderful Lord and my God! I cherish my relationship with You! I long to be with You in Heaven!
You are the source of true love in this fallen world! Your holiness is unrivaled. Your blessings are to be cherished! How I love to sing Your praises and offer You my thanksgiving!
Today, I pray for all those who face trials and tribulation, those who are suffering, and those who are oppressed. This world is filled with sinful people who enjoy hurting others. Evil has captured the souls of many. Evil spirits run rampant. Help me to stand up against all evil and be a sign of Your Kingdom to come! Help me to withstand all the attacks of the Evil One. Help me to be a beacon of hope in a desperate world!
I pray for all those who today will face evil head-on. I pray for those enduring the hardships of war. I pray for those who endure persecution simply because they love Jesus! I pray for the handicapped and those who have been injured by life.
Hear my prayer, today, dear Lord! I especially pray for these people enduring challenges: ___________________________ . I pray for these people to find a real faith in you: ______________________________ . I pray for strength in those who encounter oppression. I pray for Your truth to break forth to darkened minds! I pray for Your love to overcome all the negativity of modern hatreds.
In the name of Jesus, keep me faithful! Someday, I will face You! May that day be jubilant, not feared! Amen.