In The Word
Read: Romans 8:18-39
Present Suffering and Future Glory
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
More Than Conquerors
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Many times as believers, we can become frustrated with this life. If we are honest, we secretly cry out as John did, “Come Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20). But it is not only us that long for the return and vindication of Jesus Christ. Paul assures us that creation itself, having been placed in subjection to the corruption of sin, is groaning for the same freedom (Romans 8:19-22). It is this very subjection that causes us to be frustrated with this life. But as believers, we have the hope of something better: a life that awaits the adoption, the redemption, of our body (Romans 8:23).
But we must endure; we must persevere until Christ comes and rescues us. As hard as that may seem, Paul reminds the reader that we have been given the strength to make it. In our weakness, the Holy Spirit helps us. He intercedes and groans for us. We are also reminded today that the trials of this life have a greater purpose: to conform us to the image of Jesus Christ. And in that, we are more than conquerors of this world! It is the love of God that secures us during this life.
Beloved, there is nothing in this life that can separate you from the Father’s love. You are a chosen vessel that He has called into His love, and He will be the One who secures you in it. You should not fear this life or allow the worries of it to consume you. God is working all things out for your good if you love Him and remain in Him.