June 11 | Romans 8:18-23

Judy Webb
Jun 11
2 min read

DAILY READING

Romans 8:18-13

REFLECTION

Longing for Deliverance

By Judy Webb

“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” (Romans 8:22)

As children of God, we are waiting for change; our lives are lived in the tension of good and bad. There is suffering in our life, but we do know that “our present suffering doesn’t compare with our future glory.” (from Romans 8:18)

Present suffering: Grief, disease, pain, suffering, hunger and so much more. All this is part of our world today but won’t be once we are in the presence of Jesus. There is so much to look forward to, that grumbling today seems like a waste of breath. But God understands and He desires our prayers of petition for change and healing.

Future Glory: Standing in the presence of Jesus, singing, praising, and worshiping our Lord with all the Heavenly Hosts. I know this sounds futuristic, and perhaps it is, but it is a future reality also.

We long for deliverance and we express this desire through groaning, crying out with hearts that are broken and pathetic, and dejected. Through the ages God has heard our suffering. Exodus 3:7 “I have seen how my people have been mistreated, I’ve heard their groaning.” (MSG) Physical aches and pains of aging cause us to cry out. “Currently in this tent of a house, we continue to groan…with a deep desire to be sheltered in our permanent home.” (2 Corinthians 5:2 (MSG)

This deep desire is our hope for future glory, that day when all creation will be liberated. We look forward to a “new heaven and a new earth.” (Revelation 21:1) The day when our longing for deliverance arrives and sin and suffering are no more. On that last day Jesus will stand before the Father,” Here “I am, and here are the children You’ve given me.” (from John 6:39) What a day that will be!

PRAYER

Dear Father in Heaven,

We are anticipating that great day when the Garden is once again open for us to live in, walk in, and delight in. We will have come full circle on that day, and we can hardly wait!

Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JUDY WEBB

I have been a member of UALC for 26 years and have been writing devotions for this site for about 17 of them. Writing is my passion. As retired staff I still love everything about UALC and its members including my small group.