ROMANS 8:18 | DARE TO HOPE

Romans 8:18 ESV says, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

Hope has a way of energizing even the most dismal situations. Something I marvel at about the human body is how we can be at absolute zero and still find more strength in the last minute to push through.

In high school, I ran distance on the track team. The two-mile run was eight times around the track. We came out as a group strong from the beginning, but one by one, the slower runners fell to the back of the pack. Even in my hardest races, something would change on the last lap. My legs would feel like jello as I rounded the final corner to the straight away. I’d be short of breath and losing focus, but as soon as I hit the 100 m mark to the finish line, I hit a full-out sprint. Something about the promise of the finish and the perspective of the finish line gave me the extra strength to endure the rest of the race and run as fast as I could.

Our life on earth is like a distance race, perhaps more like a marathon. We are tempted to give up hope when we get too tired, when the challenges are too significant, and when we feel alone. There are endless oncoming distractions and hindrances to our race of faith, but there is one place to look for hope: the glory of Christ.

None of the challenges can compare with the glory we are approaching. Even the most severe suffering, modeled by Christ on the cross, was merely a shadow compared to the glory waiting ahead. Hebrews 12:2 ESV talks about Jesus saying that he is “the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Today I want to set your sights on the joy of glory.

Maybe you are facing a battle with sin, a war with discouragement and depression, or a relationship conflict. These things tempt us to turn our attention away from Christ and toward our escapes and compromises. I want to challenge you (and myself) to fix our eyes on Jesus. To dare to live in glory. To put our hope in his presence and his promise.

• Sign up for Abiding Daily text messages.

  Abiding happens daily in his presence. Abiding Daily is a simple and practical reminder to stay connected to the vine. Each prompt is inspired by the scriptures and designed to point you toward prayer and encounter. You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To get the Daily Invitation sent to you every day click this link or text “Daily” to +1 (779) 237-3914.

• Order a copy of Abiding Daily: Volume One – Our first devotional book.

  Our first devotional book is available on our online store! Abiding Daily: Volume One is a devotional book including 120 prompts from the Daily Invitation. This book is designed to help believers connect with God through the word and discover more of what it means to abide in Christ. Click here to learn more.