I Reckon

Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Here in East Texas and the Southern United States, it was once very common to get the response "I reckon." When we say or said that the meaning was "I think" or "I suppose". When Paul uses these words in Romans 8:18, he may sound like a Southerner, but he means something much more definite than supposing. Paul is accounting, had calculated or counted up the situation and is confident of the truth he proposes. If we study Romans chapter 8, we can find the things he counts toward the truth that present sufferings have no right or realm to compare to further glory.

Sufferings have a purpose. Christians have a future. Seen in that light, we see small sufferings and resplendent glory. In ourselves we focus on and maximize the bad. But the reckoning clears away the fog that we see Christ only.

There is a future hope, vs. 19-25
There is a present intercessor, vs. 26-27.
All things work together for good vs. 28-30.
All is grounded in God and His promise, vs. 31-39.

The great Redeemer lives

He lives! the great Redeemer lives!
What joy the blest assurance gives!
And now, before His Father, God,
Pleads the full merit of His blood.

Repeated crimes awake our fears,
And justice armed with frowns appears,
But in the Savior's lovely face
Sweet mercy smiles, and all is peace.

In every dark, distressful hour,
When sin and Satan join their power,
Let this dear hope repel the dart,
That Jesus bears us on His heart.

Great Advocate, almighty Friend!
On Him our humble hopes depend;
Our cause can never, never fail,
For Jesus pleads, and must prevail.

Anne Steele (1716-1778)
Poems on Subjects Chiefly Devotional, 1760.
Posted on Song To The Lamb, Sun. 23 Sep 2007