A Reflection on Romans 8:18-30
By Jana Melpolder
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing 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 will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
It’s hard to wait - to be patient and to be still. It’s frustrating when we are denied the things we want when we want them. It’s easy to get caught up in what we don’t have, and all too often we get caught up in comparing our lives to other people.
But for the Christian, waiting is a significant part of what it means to follow Christ.
The worries and anxieties of this life will be nothing when compared to what God offers us as members of His family. In Romans Chapter 8 Paul describes this comparison by saying, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us.”
There will be moments and times in our lives where we are groaning and aching with what is currently going on with our jobs, our relationships, and more. We will be impatient and be anxious about what we don’t have. We need to be mindful of those times and remember that the difficulties in this life, although they are important, are nothing when compared to God’s bountiful blessings in store for us.
But this may be easier said than done. How are Christians supposed to cope with this tall order of waiting? Lucky for us, God takes care of that, too. The answer is prayer.
Paul continues in Romans Chapter 8, saying, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit”.
Look to God to help you handle to stress of everyday problems that you face. God will give you what you need when you need it, and through all the sufferings, He will be there to guide you in prayer towards peace and resilience. God is a Father of peace, and it is His peace that we will enjoy into eternity.
Tomorrow’s reading: Acts 4:23-31
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