Purified through the Fire

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Rom. 8:18

“Through trial and persecution the glory—the character—of God is revealed in His chosen ones. The believers in Christ, hated and persecuted by the world, are educated and disciplined in the school of Christ. On earth they walk in narrow paths; they are purified in the furnace of affliction. They follow Christ through sore conflicts; they endure self-denial and experience bitter disappointments; but thus they learn the guilt and woe of sin, and they look upon it with abhorrence. Being partakers of Christ’s sufferings, they can look beyond the gloom to the glory, saying, ‘I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.’ Romans 8:18.” Acts of the Apostles, p. 576

Heart Questions:

What is the glory that Romans 8:18 speaks of? Why are trials and suffering helpful to purify us? What have you learned about yourself through the trials of the recent weeks? Do you recognize weak spots in your character that you didn’t realize you had? How are you praying that God would grow you during this difficult time?

Day 14 - Prayer Focus

1. Pray for heavenly vision that we can see beyond the grave, beyond the pain and suffering and hardship of this life, to see the heavenly reward that awaits those that are faithful to the end.

2. Pray for wisdom for pastors and administrators as they seek to comfort and encourage and lead in the midst of chaos.

3. Pray for our children that are out of school, and especially for those who relied on the meals that they received at school. Pray that God would raise up caring Christians to find ways to feed them during this time of crisis.

4. Pray that God’s love would so fill us, so move us, so break our hearts afresh, that we could not contain it, but would share it with those who have no hope.

5. Pray that we will understand and actively share the message of “Righteousness by Faith” and that we will rest in the righteousness of Jesus.

Going Deeper - Additional Reading Suggestions for this week:

• Ellen White, Steps to Christ, chapters 2-3

• “Removing the Spiritual Breaches” – A PDF Download

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