PSALMS 107:23 "THEY THAT GO DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS, THAT DO BUSINESS IN GREAT WATERS; THESE SEE THE WORKS OF THE LORD ..."
Yes, this verse is ever so true but few really want to meet the Lord under these circumstances! Most (of us) prefer harboursor rather ...even nice white and smooth - sandy beaches! Right?
But the Scriptures are more than clear that this is not the how the Lord would have us find his comfort. The God of all comfort is not found in the 'comfortable' places! Of course, few believe they could be "called upon to suffer" like in times past ... but the fact is we are all called to suffer for Christ! There are good reasons for this, of course! The Lord gives us some guidelines: First we read Romans 8:14-25 together with ... 1 Peter 4:1; 2 Corinthians 1:3-8 and James 5:10-11 { You will want to read these verses in the Amplified Bible for a real blessing!]
If Indeed ? [1 Peter 4:1]
Romans 8:16 "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him."
Comparing your ‘Sufferings’. [2 Cor. 1:5]
Romans 8:18 "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Suffering - as anxious longing! [1 Peter 2:19]
Romans 8: 19 "For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now."
Suffering as waiting. [James 5:10-11]
Romans *:23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. {Consider: 1 Thess 1:5]
Suffering with Hope. [1 Peter 3:14]
Romans 8:24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
