Beauty Behind the Veil

Today’s Scripture Reading: Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Luke 14:16-17 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

Warren Wiersbe shared this insight in one of his books: “On a wall in his bed room Charles Spurgeon had a plaque with Isaiah 48:10 on it: ‘I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.’

“‘It is no mean thing to be chosen of God,’ he wrote. ‘God’s choice makes chosen men choice men. We are chosen, not in the palace, but in the furnace. In the furnace, beauty is marred, fashion is destroyed, strength is melted, glory is consumed; yet here eternal love reveals its secrets, and declares its choice.’”

The veil of suffering shrouds the Christian’s life like a canvas over an unfinished sculpture. The artist leaves his work concealed until he’s made the finishing touches. Eventually, the shroud is removed, and the magnificent work of art is revealed.

It is beneath the veil of suffering that God so often chooses to mold us. In the crucible of adversity, suffering, and hardships, we learn to trust in God and depend upon His Word. When the veil is removed, we emerge stronger and better equipped to serve.

Are you in the midst of a “furnace of affliction”? Are you being bombarded with circumstances beyond your control? Don’t lose heart. The adversity through which you advance will build you for even greater things. There’s future glory that awaits you in Heaven, so be encouraged! (Jim Scudder)

Today’s Quote: Teach me the glory of my cross. Teach me the value of my thorn. -George Mattheson

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Tags: Devotional