The Era of Power

3:10-11 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Some Christians think of this present era, this period between the two comings of Christ, as an era of suffering, persecution and trial, the season when believers must bear the cross of Christ in order to achieve the crown of resurrection. This is certainly true. "In this world you will have tribulation..." (John 16:33) Indeed, this era is the time of "being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead."

But this does not complete the picture. This era is also the era of resurrection power in the midst of the dying. We do share in "the fellowship of His sufferings" in this present life, but we also know "the power of His resurrection." This isn’t merely something that awaits us at the end. It is something that we know everyday right now in this life.

This is the era of the Holy Spirit. It is the era of being strengthened supernaturally as we walk through the hardships and difficulties of the curse. It is the era in which God shows His power by keeping supernaturally afloat those who otherwise would sink. It is the era of getting pushed down by the world and lifted up by God. It is the era of God revealing the surpassing greatness of His power by hiding His treasure in weak and frail vessels. It is the era of experiencing daily both the dying and the coming-to-life of Jesus:

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh." (2Cor.4:7-11)

On the outside we are dying but on the inside we are coming alive. God’s power is being made perfect in our weakness (2Cor.12:9). This is the characteristic paradox of this present age.

"Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day." (2Cor.4:16)

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Great Father of all mercies, it is because of You that I keep on keeping on. You are my strength. You are my song. Thank You for Jesus who walked down the path of suffering for me, and showed me the path to glory. I praise You that You have sent His Spirit to carry me along through this valley of trouble. Forgive me for my whining. Forgive me for not trusting You. Forgive me for thinking of trouble as my enemy instead of counting it all joy. Give me eyes to see the glory that lies behind the cross.