But as it is, they long after a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

— Hebrews 11:16

17 And if children, heirs also; on the one hand, heirs of God; on the other, joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him that we may also be glorified with Him.

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the coming glory to be revealed upon us.

— Romans 8:17-18

23 Ministers of Christ are they? I speak as being beside myself, I more so! In labors more abundantly, in imprisonments more abundantly, in stripes excessively, in deaths often.

27 In labor and hardship; in watchings often; in hunger and thirst; in fastings often; in cold and nakedness-

28 Apart from the things which have not been mentioned, there is this: the crowd of cares pressing upon me daily, the anxious concern for all the churches.

— 2 Corinthians 11:23, 27-28

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

Life’s struggles often loom large. God’s Word helps believers look beyond today’s challenges with eyes toward heaven. Hebrews 11 records the stories of many heroes of the faith who persevered through suffering. Their hope and motivation to endure came from their longing for a heavenly country. Because of sin’s presence in this world, all people experience suffering during their lives.

Believers may experience unique hardship due to their faith in Jesus. Persecution, ridicule, rejection, violence, physical harm, injustice, or even death commonly face God’s people. Paul encountered agonizing affliction on his missionary journeys. He summarized his perspective on earthly suffering by saying, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Remembering our eternal home puts temporary suffering in proper perspective, strengthening us to stand firm.