A Rough Transition - The One Year Heaven on Earth Devotional

Read: Acts 14:19-22

They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. Acts 14:22

IN WORD

Paul had been stoned, dragged out of Lystra, and left for dead. Perhaps he was—his executioners weren’t likely to mistake unconsciousness for death. Either way—whether he was resurrected or simply revived—he had been brutally treated. His message of the Good News had resulted in some really bad consequences.

So when Paul and Barnabas told the believers in the next town that we go through many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God, they were speaking from experience. They weren’t simply having a bad day; they were in frequent danger. And while their statement seems like a requirement—as if hardships can earn us the right to become Kingdom citizens—it’s more of an observation. Entering the Kingdom of God is a wonderful experience, but it isn’t always an easy one. There are challenges. The kingdom of darkness doesn’t give up its denizens easily.

You’ve probably experienced that phenomenon. Like the Pharaoh who had to be convinced through ten plagues to let God’s people go, the captor of our souls doesn’t remain passive when we leave his domain. The fact that his domain is illegitimate and ultimately defeated doesn’t deter him; he still fights for territory. And the most intense battlegrounds in this fight are the territory of your heart, your fellowship with other believers, and your perceptions of the King.

IN DEED

That’s where many believers get tripped up. We suffer hardship and then accuse the King of allowing it. But God isn’t the source of the hardships. We stand in the midst of a clash of kingdoms. Having seen the light, we’re done with the kingdom of darkness, but the kingdom of darkness isn’t done with us. We should therefore not be surprised when we run into obstacles or opposition. It’s normal on kingdom pathways. And our response must be like that of Paul and Barnabas: Get up and keep going, persistently and relentlessly until the Kingdom comes in full.

ADDITIONAL READING: John 16:33

Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing but to turn it into glory.

WILLIAM BARCLAY