"I consider that the sufferings of the present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us." (Romans 8: 18)
What are the sufferings of the present time?
What is the glory?
"No, in spite of these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." (Romans 8: 37)
We are conquerors through Jesus Christ in spite of:
We have more than enough resources in Christ Jesus to be victorious, to be overwhelmingly triumphant in any condition, in any situation, anywhere and at all times.
"For I am convinced that there is nothing in death or life, in the realms of spirits or superhuman powers, in the world as it is or the world as it shall be, in the forces of the universe, in the heights or depths – nothing in all creation that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8: 38)
Just as we are absolutely confident of Christ's power to save us, so can we be of his love for us. Nothing can ever shake that love, that commitment of Jesus for our good and salvation. Not even our personal sins if we repent and believe in his mercy. So once again, we take consolation in the thought that these things cannot dislodge us from the love of Jesus:
"We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8: 28)
"If this enterprise, this movement of theirs, is of human origin it will break up of its own accord; but if it does in fact come from God you will be unable to destroy them." (Acts 5: 38)
The Enterprise: Is it from God or from man?
What is the evidence?
"I myself shall lead you across. I will never forsake you nor abandon you." (Deuteronomy 31: 6)
Other signs:
"He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee." (2 Corinthians 5: 5) – NRSV
"It is for this destiny that God himself has been shaping us; and as a pledge of it he has given us the Spirit." – Revised English Bible
"Now the one who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a first installment." – New American Bible
"It is God who designed us for this very purpose, and he has given us the Spirit as a pledge." – New Jerusalem Bible
For what "very thing" was the Holy Spirit given to you?
What "destiny" is God shaping you for?
What has God "prepared you for"?
The 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit are: (CCC #1831)
"Yahweh Sabbaoth is with us, our citadel, the God of Jacob." (Psalm 46: 7)
If God is with me, it is accomplished.
Immanuel – God with us (Isaiah 7: 14; 8:10; Matthew 1: 23)
God is with us (2 Chronicles13: 12)
God is with you (Isaiah 45: 14)
The Lord is with us (Numbers 14: 9; 2 Chronicles 38: 8; Psalm 46:7, 11)
God will be with you (Exodus 3: 12)
I am with you (Haggai 1: 13; 2:4)
They will know that I am with them (Ezekiel 34: 30)
When we pass through the waters he will be with us (Isaiah 43: 2)
Do not be afraid for I am with you (Isaiah 41: 10; 43: 5; Jeremiah 42: 11; 46:28)
May the Lord be with you (Ruth 2: 4; 2 Samuel 14: 17; 1 Chronicles 22: 11, 16; Amos 5: 14)
May the Lord be with us (1 Kings 8: 57)
Perhaps the Lord will be with me (Joshua 14: 12)
I am always with God (Psalm 73: 23)
You are with me (Psalm 23: 4)
Son, you are always with me (Luke 15: 31)
Is not the Lord with you? (1 Chronicles 22: 18)
Is the Lord in our midst or not? (Exodus 17:7)
(ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)
"They woke him and said to him, 'Master, do you not care? We are lost! And he woke up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Quiet now! Calm!' And the wind dropped, and there followed a great calm." (Mark 4 : 39)
He stills the roaring of the seas (Psalm 65 : 7)
He stilled the storm (Psalm 107:29)
When they threw Jonah overboard the sea grew calm (Jonah 1: 12, 15)
Jesus rebuked the sea and there was calm (Matthew 8: 26, Mark 4: 39, Luke 8: 24)
Even the winds and the sea obey him (Matthew 8: 27, Mark 4: 41, Luke 8: 25)
The wind was against them (Matthew 14: 24, Mark 6: 48)
When Peter saw the wind he was afraid (Matthew 14: 30)
(ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)
"Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him." (Psalm 37:7)
Wait for the Lord (Psalm 27: 14; 37:34)
Wait patiently for him (Psalm 37:7)
I wait for you (Psalm 25: 21)
For you I wait all day (Psalm 25: 5)
I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning (Psalm 130: 5-6)
I wait for God my savior (Micah 7:7)
I wait patiently for the Lord (Psalm 40: 1)
I wait in silence for God (Psalm 62: 1,5)
Those who wait for the Lord renew their strength (Isaiah 40: 31)
Those who wait for the Lord will inherit the land (Psalm 37: 9)
Blessed are those who wait for him (Isaiah 30: 18)
May those who wait for you not be ashamed through me (Psalm 69: 6)
This is our God for whom we have waited (Isaiah 25: 9)
The Lord is good to those who wait for him (Lamentations 3: 25-26)
We wait for:
Be like men waiting for their master (Luke 12: 36)
The creation waits for the sons of God to be revealed (Romans 8: 19)
Saul was told to wait 7 days (1 Samuel 10: 8; 13:8)
David would wait until word came (2 Samuel 15: 28)
