Glimpse The Glory Series

“That’s why we look away from the bag lady on the street and look to the displays in the store windows. That’s why we prefer going to movies instead of to hospitals and nursing homes.” (Dave Dravecky, When You Can’t Come Back)

Wow! That’s convicting but so true. Instead of praying for the burdens to be lifted from our backs, we need to be praying for stronger backs to bear the suffering. Because Jesus made it very clear: Suffering will come, but there is glory ahead!

Many years ago, a band of Chinese terrorists had captured Rev. and Mrs. Porteous, who were serving as missionaries in China with the old China Inland Mission. The terrorists led them to a lonely spot on a hill and declared, “This is the place!”

It was the place where they were to be executed, but when the executioner readied his long knife for the kill, the couple began to sing:

Face to face with Christ my Savior,

Face to face – what will it be

When with rapture I behold Him,

Jesus Christ who died for me?

Face to face I shall behold Him,

Far beyond the starry sky;

Face to face, in all His glory,

I shall see Him by and by.

The missionary couple awaited their execution, but to their surprise, no order was given. The executioner shouldered his axe-like knife and Mr. and Mrs. Porteous were released (Kenneth W. Osbeck, 101 More Hymn Stories, p.87).

They had anticipated seeing Jesus. They had anticipated the glory ahead, and it helped them face almost certain death; it helped them bear their cross.

My friends, that’s how we can do it too. All we need to do is glimpse the glory that’s coming tomorrow. Then we will be able to carry the cross today.