READ : Acts 20:17-24
“But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.” – Luke 17:25
You must experience some suffering before enjoying the higher blessings of God. Paying this price is nothing compared to the glory that will be revealed in your life. I have noticed that there is no successful minister who does not have a story of suffering and difficulties.
Recently, a visiting minister, whose ministry I knew little about, came to speak in our church. As he shared his life testimony, I marvelled at how this principle is played out consistently in everyone’s life. He had been through many things. He had been hungry on many occasions; he had encouraged his wife on several occasions. He had been without money and food many times. This man is now a very successful minister in the country where he lives. The story is always the same. The suffering comes before the glory.
On the day the temple was dedicated, Solomon made many sacrifices to the Lord. After the sacrifices had been offered, the glory filled the temple and no one could stand to minister. God was moved by the sacrifice. God is still moved by your sacrifice.
The glory of God will surely come after the sacrifice.
…then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of GOD. 2 Chronicles 5:13,14
