Romans 8:18-25 (NRSV)
Read Romans 8:18-25 on biblegateway.com
Verse 18I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. Verse 19For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; Verse 20for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope Verse 21that 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. Verse 22We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; Verse 23and 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. Verse 24For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? Verse 25But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Devotion
Waiting can be extremely difficult, especially when one is longing for deliverance from anxiety, pain, spiritual isolation, grief, or any other kind of suffering. It is like a woman who endures labor pains. She is confident that there will be a good outcome, but the pain is almost too much to bear. Paul assures her, and all of us, that the present suffering cannot compare with the glory that is soon to come. Our waiting becomes hope because we know that Easter is coming. The deliverance begun in Jesus Christ will one day be complete.
Prayer
Gracious God, open our eyes to see hope that is yet unseen. We put our confidence in you. Amen.