Title: The Weight of Glory
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory”- 2 Corinthians 4:17
Afflictions are spiritual boot camps for getting believers into shape. It develops our spiritual strength and tolerance to support the glory on its way. You will admit that you are more spiritual when you are experiencing trials; you tend to pray more, fast more etc. I was in church service some years ago, when I called a prayer point that sounded strange, I said “let us thank God for the prayers he did not answer this year”. I noticed the reluctance in the voices of people, to pray the prayer point. The truth is that if some of the prayers we prayed were answered, they will end a curse not a blessing to us. A classic example is a lottery winner. Less than two years into their win, you will find them a lot worse off than they were before the win. Why you might ask? Their internal structure cannot withstand that level of glory.
There is danger in skipping on the lessons of life. The scriptures tell us “Study to show you approved unto God…” (2 Timothy 2:15). God is the examiner. We cannot cheat to pass in His class. One thing He has plenty of is time. He dwells in eternity. He allowed the Israelite to spend 40years for an 11-day journey. He doesn’t mind you repeating the class.
Every coin has two sides. The second side to the coin is the weight of Glory. Do you have enough strength within you to withstand the level of glory you are asking God for? Success comes with added responsibilities. Often we don’t take into account the added responsibility. A student will find it easier to get an A as a one off, than maintain a consistent A grade in all subject.
The weight of glory leaves you with a crack in the structure. Marriages have been broken by the success of spouse because of its demands. I was walking on side of the road with a man when a young lady drove pass us in her brand new state of the art SUV. The man walking with me said, “she shouldn’t have done that”. Missing his point I asked, “What?” He elaborated “she should have not bought a vehicle that expensive. Men will be intimidated by her and she might find it difficult to get married”. In other words, that weight of glory will stop her from getting married.
For a priest, the anointing comes with jealousy, envy, controversy etc. People will hate you but they can’t tell you why they hate you? Before you are scream lord, I want more, He will say are you sure? Do you know what else comes with the blessings? If you are well off and you turn down people request, they think you are stingy. At every new level is a heavier weight of glory, so you must build your inner strength to withstand the weight.
You get so used to controversy that you think everyone is trying to use you. You feel you have to celebrate in silence. You can share the dream because the weight. Sometime we struggle with success, not because success is bad thing but because of the weight of glory that comes with. Everyone knows about the weight of affliction but have you considered the weight of glory.
Prayer Points
- Father, strengthen me internally by your Holy Spirit – Acts 1:8
- Father, prepare for the next phase of the weight of glory like you prepared the patriarchs
- Father, solidify my foundations so that I will be able to support the structure
