For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly 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 also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. (Romans 8:18-25, NASB)
The Apostle Paul writes in the 8th chapter of Romans about our hopes to see the glory that awaits God’s children in heaven. He speaks of the suffering that we endure here on planet earth, and says they “are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Every one of us has troubles in this life–some more than others, but everyone goes through trials and tribulations. Paul speaks of the glory that awaits the followers of Jesus that far outweighs these problems!
Ever since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, men and women have had trouble with sin. God had a plan of redemption, and that plan was to send His Son, Jesus Christ, to be a sacrifice, to take the punishment we deserve for our sins. The sin problem is what Paul calls “futility,” but there is “hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.”
Paul goes on to talk about the expectant groaning of creation, and “even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.” Even though the Holy Spirit indwells us, Paul says we can’t wait for the day when we complete the transaction, when God takes us home in glorified bodies, and welcomes His adopted daughters and sons. He concludes by talking about hope. Hope is about things unseen, which causes us to wait expectantly: “But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.”
I don’t consider myself to be “suffering.” I don’t have chronic pain, and God has blessed me far beyond what I deserve, and far beyond measure. I would prefer not to have ALS, but I don’t think I suffer. As I write this, it’s two days past the horrific elementary school shootings in Uvalde, Texas. I can’t imagine the suffering and pain the parents and families of those slain children and their teachers are going through. And yet, no matter the extent of the suffering they and we go through, God has promised us that seeing His glory will far outweigh all of that pain. As for me, I have hope for the things unseen! Because I have Jesus, “with perseverance, [I] wait eagerly for it!”
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