We Groan Inwardly While We Wait Eagerly

We Groan Inwardly While We Wait Eagerly

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. –Romans 8:22-23 (NIV)

Do you know what it is like to groan inwardly or audibly with sorrow or pain? There are days when I can’t bear to watch the news or get an update on someone in crisis because I am overwhelmed with the suffering and sadness in the world. Sometimes I wonder, When will this hurting end? God, why don’t you just come now and take us out of this world that is so full of pain?

Romans 8:22 says that “the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth.” Now, I remember the pains of childbirth. I also remember saying to myself at the time, Do not allow yourself to get into this situation again! The groans of childbirth, however, are quickly forgotten when we hold that beautiful child in our arms, aren’t they? The joy and fulfillment the child brings is worth the nine months of waiting, worth the pain of delivery.

And that’s how it will be when we are “delivered” into the presence of God. The groaning and anticipation will be over and we will say, “Heaven was worth the wait. Jesus, you are worth all the waiting!”

Perhaps you have sometimes wondered if something is wrong with you or if you are deficient in your faith because you just can’t share in the happy-all-the-time religion some people seem to have. When you find yourself groaning because of the death and destruction and disease and depression and deprivation in this world, and you find deep inside an intense longing for it all to be erased and made right, take heart. That is a sacred longing, placed deep within you by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has given us a longing for the day described in Romans 8, when “creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God” (verse 21, NIV). Until then, we groan inwardly while we wait eagerly.

Savior, as I see the cruel effects of sin on this world, on those whom I love, and even on myself, I long for you to make things right. This sacred longing assures me I am yours and will be yours forever. Lord Jesus, come quickly!

DIGGING DEEPER