December 17

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall he revealed in us. - Romans 8:18.

LET us consider the comparison here made by the apostle. The one state so far transcends the other, that it is, properly speaking, a contrast here rather than a comparison; and this will appear in two things. First, As to the duration of it. The sacred writers laboured for expressions to describe the brevity of the saints’ suffering-period. They called it “a season.” They tell us the saints shall suffer persecution ten days; they call it an hour, yea, they call it a moment, and even a small moment: -“For a small moment have I forsaken thee.” But suppose now that Christians should be chastened every morning and tried every evening all through life! What is life itself but “a vapour that appeareth for a little while, and then vanisheth away”? What but as “a dream when one awaketh”? Can we compare this small moment-this light affliction, which is but for a moment- with the “far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory”? Can we compare this momentary suffering with “an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,” where there is no danger of foes, no possibility of decay?-where they die no more,-where death itself is dead? Can we compare it with the language of Isaiah, “The Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended”?

Then, Secondly, With regard to the degree as well as the duration. This too is contrast rather than comparison. It is impossible that one of our trials should make us as miserable as the others should render us happy. Our sufferings, the Christian’s sufferings, however severe, have their alleviations, and our grateful minds ought to dwell upon this much more than they do. The apostle says, “As these sufferings for Christ abound, so our consolations also abound by Christ.” And can we say of our losses, that we can retain no one thing, but that all is taken away? And, besides all this, what compensation God affords us in the midst of our trials! as it is said in Ezekiel, “Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come.” So David, when he saw all was destroyed at Ziklag, “encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” And we should remember this, -that “the Lord stayeth his rough wind in the day of his east wind.” “The glory to be revealed,” our poet thus describes:-

“Full bliss is bliss divine, and this is bliss.”

Our cup will be entirely filled, up to the very brim, and there will be no mixture whatever in it. No, there will be no want unsupplied, no hope unaccomplished; no, we shall no more say, “I am sick.” All tears shall be wiped away. What comparison, therefore, is there between the sufferings of this present time in duration and degree, and the glory that is to be revealed in us? But we have one thing more.

Observe the person making this relative estimate: it is Paul. “I reckon;” and there never was a person so qualified to judge as he. We see, then, that he had two peculiar qualifications, yea, two exclusive advantages, in making this assertion. First, He was inspired; he spake as he was moved by the Holy Ghost; and his inspiration preserved him from any possibility of mistake or error. We know, therefore, his witness is true.

Then, Secondly, He had much personal experience. It will be readily admitted that he knew well from experience what the sufferings of this present time were. He was a sufferer for Christ’s sake. Of his sufferings for the Redeemer’s cause he speaks in one place thus:-“For whom I have suffered the loss of all things.” He knew also something of the glory that is to be revealed, in a manner which no other human being ever did. So then we see he was qualified more than any other person, both from personal knowledge and experience, as well as being inspired; therefore he could say, “I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed.”