Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake.

Colossians 1:24-27, Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Not many of us in this part of the world can join Paul in rejoicing in our sufferings. We have been so blessed by freedom of religion and economic freedom that our sufferings are few in comparison to most of the world. And in other places in the world, there are indeed those who are suffering greatly for His name. Yet their desire is not that the sufferings be relieved, but that the good news of Jesus Christ and all He has done be proclaimed, even if it involves suffering. Paul and Silas, when wrongfully imprisoned, broke forth into worship and singing at midnight in one prison stay, and due to a miraculous earthquake they were not only set free but also the jailor and his entire family came to know Jesus Christ. We need not look for ways to suffer, but should they come, His ways are above our ways in spreading the gospel!

We pray for those who suffer and praise You for their sacrifice that the gospel may flourish; give us the strength to do likewise if we are so called.

ESV Lectionary