18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 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. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 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. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

26 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. 27 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.

Because of man’s sin God cursed His creation.  He did this willingly, knowing perfectly what we needed and how it would all come together in time.  God designed a perfect future where both the creation and man would be set free from calamity and merge into glorious harmony with Him. 

Since the fall, both man and creation have been living with the intense pain of giving birth to this perfect future.  It’s easy to focus on these pains, instead we are to continually hope for this future.  We need to be patient, waiting eagerly for that time when we are re-united with our Lord and Savior and the perfected creation.

God has provided Himself as a down payment (v23) on that future, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is working all things on our behalf.  We don’t always pray the way we should, we don’t always communicate properly.  We have the Holy Spirit interceding, without words, on our behalf with the Godhead.  He knows our hearts, He’s always there as we struggle in this fallen, pain-filled world, re-assuring us of that an indescribable glorious future that awaits us.  We are reminded that no suffering in this present world compares to the glorious future the Christian is destined.

God bless,

Ron