Romans 8:16-19
16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. 18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy tobecompared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
As we press into the fast, strengthening our spirit to keep our soul in its place, hear the Holy Spirit cheering you on! Anyone who has accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, who has been redeemed by His blood, is a child of God. As this passage says, if we are God’s children then we are joint heirs with Christ. Suffering and celebrating glory together. The suffering of this present time, this fast and the suffering our bodies and souls are feeling are nothing compared to God’s glory revealed in our spirits! Be encouraged! God’s glory will shine through you. You are God’s child and as your soul quiets and comes in line, your spirit can hear the witness of the Holy Spirit. God is so proud of you! Let that reality of identity, of being, launch you into verse 19. Creation is waiting, anticipating, on the edge of it’s seat- if it had one- for you to be revealed in God’s glory! Stay the course of this fast. Keep your commitment to what you’ve promised God.
The exchange of our suffering for God’s glory is totally worth it. God’s glory revealed in us is what creates change in our families and at our jobs. God’s glory is the attractive thing to the unbeliever and will draw them into their own revelation of Jesus, an encounter with a real and living God. God’s glory revealed in you will bring change to your family and your marriage. Nothing can stand in the way of God’s glory shining. The only response is worship. For the sake of all those people and even creation itself who needs to see the glory of God revealed in you, let Him shine!