Sharing Christ's Suffering

[Daily Devotional]

Sharing Christ's Suffering 

Rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his
glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4:
13. 

To have strength we must have exercise. To have strong faith, we must be
placed in circumstances where our faith will be exercised. . . . It is
through much tribulation that we are to enter the kingdom of God. Our
Saviour was tried in every possible way, and yet He triumphed in God
continually. It is our privilege to be strong in the strength of God under
all circumstances and to glory in the cross of Christ. 

In this life we must meet fiery trials and make costly sacrifices, but the
peace of Christ is the reward. There has been so little self- denial, so
little suffering for Christ's sake, that the cross is almost entirely
forgotten. We must be partakers with Christ of His sufferings if we would
sit down in triumph with Him on His throne. 

Heaven is very near those who suffer for righteousness' sake. Christ
identifies His interests with the interests of His faithful people; He
suffers in the person of His saints, and whoever touches His chosen ones
touches Him. The power that is near to deliver from physical harm or
distress is also near to save from the greater evil, making it possible for
the servant of God to maintain his integrity under all circumstances, and to
triumph through divine grace. 

Persecution should bring joy to the disciples of Christ, for it is an
evidence that they are following in the steps of their Master. 

While the Lord has not promised His people exemption from trials, He has
promised that which is far better. He has said, "As thy days, so shall thy
strength be" (Deut. 33: 25). "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my
strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12: 9). If you are called to
go through the fiery furnace for His sake, Jesus will be by your side even
as He was with the faithful three in Babylon. Those who love their Redeemer
will rejoice at every opportunity of sharing with Him humiliation and
reproach. The love they bear their Lord makes suffering for His sake sweet. 

>From God's Amazing Grace - Page 89