This Momentary Light Affliction ...

I recently read the following commentary from the Artscroll "Tehillim" (Psalms):

" Dorash Moshe elaborates on this theme (Psalm 43:23 - Because for your sake we are killed all day long we are considered as sheep for slaughter.) by citing the Talmud's description of the heroic death of Rabbi Akiva. As the Romans tore at his flesh with iron combs, Rabbi Akiva calmly recited the Shema. His disciples were amazed by his fortitude, but Rabbi Akiva attempted to minimize his heroic accomplishment. He explained, 'All of the days of my life I recited the credo And you shall love Hashem your God will all your heart and all your soul, but I was grieved that I was never given the opportunity to fulfill this commitment. Now that the opportunity has finally arrived should I not fulfill it (joyously)'?

The Shaloh Hakodosh reveals the profundity of Rabbi Akiva's statement. When reciting the words, With all you soul, one should imagine the excruciating pain experienced whey dying and try to feel the torment of an agonizing execution. If one conditions himself in such a manner all the days of his life, then when he is actually confronted with the need to submit to a violent death for God's sake, he will be so accustomed to the pain that it will hardly affect him (Vol. 1, pg. 556)."

The Apostle Paul uses this text (Ps. 44:22; Rom. 8:36) to describe the incredible love that the Father has bestowed on those who place their trust in Yeshua. If God gave his most prized possession, His Son, for us will He not give us that which is nothing in comparison. For as he says eariler, the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us (Rom. 8:18). As Paul says elsewhere, momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison (2 Cor. 4:17). When we finally depart this mortal coil all the stuggles, all the trials, all the doubts will melt away and seem like rubbish. They will all be forgotten when we behold him panim el panim (face to face).