Sufferings and Glory

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We may all wish we were superman --
but we're not. Trust in the Lord!


Scripture:


Rom. 8:18   I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; 20 for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; 23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.


Observation:


Paul notes that suffering is a part of the Christian journey. Much of human suffering has to do with the suffering of all of creation because the glory of God is to be revealed in the restoration of all things. This includes all of creation, which has become subjected to decay as a result of humanity’s perversion of their “God-given responsibility of dominion (1:21) into exploitation and self-aggrandizement” (Edlin & Modine, NBBC).


We groan inwardly from the struggle, but are still drawn toward hope. 


Application:


I like to avoid suffering as much as possible. I’m guessing that we all do. We would prefer for things in life to go smoothly and for there to be no bumps along the road. Unfortunately, in this world, Jesus told us that we we would have trouble — but to take heart, he has overcome the world. 


We live, leaning into a future hope, where there will be the restoration of all things. We may not be able to see it now, but that is faith combined with hope. We live, in anticipation of future glory. 


Some days, that’s what we have to hold onto. And Paul reminds us — to do it with patience.


Prayer:


Lord, as your children, struggling in a fallen world, help us to continually seek you and lean into your hope. Amen. 

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