Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me hear what You’re saying and follow where You’re leading as I begin my day in the communion of worship and prayer with You—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. …
As the rains subside and the flooding drains, now there’s word of a potential hurricane hitting our region this week. What comes to my heart is this heart cry from Your Word: “All creation groans.” …
“For we know that the whole creation groans with birth pangs together until now” (Romans 8:22).
Creation groans, longing for the day to “be delivered from the bondage of corruption” (v. 21). The rivers and valleys, the mountains and seas, the coasts and deserts and everything in between groan and yearn under the burden of the fall of creation. Not just humanity but creation itself has been subjected to the fall (v. 20).
Death and destruction entered our world through sin (Romans 5:12). And now, throughout the generations, we continue to suffer the violence of nature and the cruelty of fallen creation, as we long for the day of “restoration of all things” (Acts 3:21), as we pray for the day of the “new heaven and a new earth” (Isaiah 65:17; Revelation 21:1), where “there shall be no more curse” (Revelation 22:3). “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13).
But until that day to come, we turn to You now in hope and prayer and persevering faith, with the hearts of children of God, enduring and overcoming, as You shape Your character in us through all You bring us through. And as You promise in Your Word, one day we’ll say it was worth it all when we see how Your redeemed it all:
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God” (Romans 8:18-19).
Yes, all creation groans under the weight of this burden. But creation’s groans and our sufferings also move us closer to You, turning to You, calling out to You, desperately depending upon You alone to be our Comforter and Savior, our Rock and Refuge, our Very Present Help in Times of Trouble (Psalm 46:1). You’re not willing it all, but You are using it all, not wasting a moment of our groanings and sufferings as opportunities to bring us closer to You and form Your character in us (Romans 8:28-29).
This is our confident “hope” confirmed by Your Word and sealed in our hearts by Your Spirit (Romans 8:20). And this we know, that one day, when we stand on that side of eternity and look back to see You were with us through it all, bringing us through it all, we will say with You it was worth it all. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged this day. In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
My friend, may you be filled with confident hope in the One who brings you through it all, knowing one day you will look back and say in your heart it was worth it for all God has done in your and our world, in Jesus' name. God bless you, my friend! And you have a great day!
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Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
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