A, B, C, D, E, F, G,
H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P,
Q, R, S, T, U, V,
W, X, Y, Z
Every preschooler knows the alphabet song, right? And they all know that the letter ‘R’ comes before the letter ‘S’. However, that only holds true for the standard alphabet. If you are talking about the Kingdom Alphabet – the opposite is true.
Now you might say to yourself, ‘What is she talking about?’ Well, I am talking about Paul’s expressed desire in Philippians 3:10 KJV, ‘That I may know Him [Christ], and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death.’
Resurrection and suffering – those are the ‘R’ and ‘S’ that I am talking about. And while the resurrection is mentioned before the suffering, it is not the order of things. Suffering [to the point of destruction and even death] always precedes resurrection.
R after S...
Interestingly enough, I thought about this post as I listened to our executive pastor. He got my attention as he made mention of our building plans and the fact that there are currently deep holes on the property designed to hold the pilings and rebar which will support both the foundation and structure of our church building. The taller the building, the deeper the construction crew must go to establish a firm foundation and to ensure that the building will be able to withstand hurricanes, earthquakes and any other natural elements that might come against it.
Spiritually, it is no different. The life which is to be used mightily by God, which is to be built up into a monument for His glory – will experience unimaginable hardship and go to great depths in order to drive those faith pilings deep, to establish a firm foundation which will withstand the storms of life. What does this have to do with the alphabet? We have to understand that the excavation, drilling and driving are all part of the suffering which comes before the resurrection. 'R' after 'S'…
In my post ‘the fellowship of suffering’, I noted that many ‘desire to know the power of His resurrection but would just as soon leave the fellowship of sharing in His suffering on the buffet table.’ But both are part of the process of becoming all that God desires for you to become. If you are going to be a mighty spiritual tower, with high rafters, you must embrace this truth: ‘R’ after ‘S’
Resurrection comes after suffering. So, if you feel like you have been dug into a hole so deep that you cannot see your way out, if you feel like everything meaningful in your life has died – do not be discouraged. Resurrection follows suffering. Yet the LORD is doing a work in your day [and your life] that you would not believe were it told you! (Hab. 1:5)
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