“One thing more our text mentions as needful, that we be “strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness.“
“They are wonderful words. We have such great riches in Christ and are waiting for the full enjoyment of our everlasting inheritance in heaven. And now we are to have sufferings and afflictions, and are to learn the lesson of patience, and even to pass through our tribulations with joyfulness.
“You see we are not quite ready yet for the heavenly glory. We still need the fiery trials of earth to burn away the dross that tarnishes our life. Of course the flesh does not like the purifying fires, and we are apt to complain of the hardships endured; and the enemy strives hard to induce us to look upon them as evidence that God is not dealing kindly with us.
“Watch and pray, that you may not be overcome by such temptations. God is guiding you securely, and the treasure of grace which you possess must be effectual in you to move you to patience and make you strong to endure these trials with joyfulness, while you look at the things in store for you after the time of your trials is past and you enter upon your eternal inheritance.
From: Loy, Matthias. Sermons on the Epistles For the Sundays and Chief Festivals of the Church Year. Columbus, Ohio: Lutheran Book Concern. 1900. LutheranLibrary.org
