Romans 8:18-25 – “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”
What a timely Word God has for us today. Until now we have unfolded man’s sinfulness, God’s intercession for man through Jesus, God’s victory in Jesus, and our security and adoption by God through Jesus by grace given faith. From the crescendo of Romans 8:1 that “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” to just 17 verses later, we have moved from explaining how God saved us, to explaining what we can expect from our salvation – namely suffering. It is interesting that the existence of suffering is a barrier to faith for so many, when God tells us so often in His Word to expect suffering. Suffering is not tangental to God’s plan, it is an integral part of God’s plan. Why do parents discipline their children? Is it hateful or loving for them to do this? In the same way our Heavenly Father loves us, desires our good, and will use suffering to conform us into the image of His Son.
For many people they do not have an understanding of the infinite joy that will be theirs in eternity with Christ. It is therefore difficult for them to see suffering as a “good” meant to guide them towards Christ, not away from Him. My exhortation is to consider it settled in your own heart; God did not subject us to a fallen world and suffering without hope. Our hope is secure in the finished work of Jesus. This world is not our home, and we wait for our reuniting with Jesus face to face, where there will be no more sin, no more pain, only infinite joy in fellowship with Him for eternity. Bigger than the greatest ocean, higher than the tallest mountain, greater than all of the universe and creation is the love of God for us. That is with us now and will be made known fully to us in eternity. Now, for a little while, we have suffering – suffering that is meant to push us towards God, towards a hope that will never fail and will never disappoint – our salvation in Jesus. He took on all our sin, became a curse for us, that we would be made righteous, reconciled to God. God made Him who knew no sin to be sin, that in Him we might be the righteousness of God. Now we see dimly as through a mirror this joy in fellowship with Jesus, but then we will know Him even as we have been known, to know the fullness of joy that has existed between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit from all eternity. Today, wherever you are, embrace where God has you, take your anxieties and troubles to Him knowing He cares for you. Know you are prayed for and the God of all knowing and power is for you and loves you today.
Grace and Peace,
Adam
Following the Way 