Romans 8:18-25
Scripture
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.
Devotion
In Romans 8, Paul widens the lens on waiting until it takes in the whole created world. He begins by weighing the sufferings of this present time against the glory that will one day be revealed, and he concludes that the two are not even worth comparing. Since the fall of humanity in Genesis 3, creation has been subjected to futility and decay, and Paul describes it as groaning together in the pains of childbirth, longing for the day when it will be set free and share in the freedom of God’s children.
Believers groan as well, Paul says, even though we already have the firstfruits of the Spirit. In the Old Testament, the firstfruits were the first portion of the harvest brought to the Lord, and they served as a promise that the rest of the harvest was on its way. The Holy Spirit living in us is God’s guarantee that the full redemption He has promised, including the resurrection of our bodies, will surely come. This language of harvest sits comfortably beside James’s farmer, who waits for the precious fruit of the earth with confidence that the rains will come in their time.
Both writers look toward the same horizon. James tells his readers to be patient until the coming of the Lord, and Paul describes believers waiting eagerly for the redemption that will be complete when Christ returns. Paul closes this section with words that could easily summarize James 5:7-12, saying that when we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Seen together, these passages show us that Christian patience is anchored in a sure promise. We wait with groaning because the world is still broken, and we wait with hope because the God who began the work of redemption has already given us His Spirit as a pledge that He will finish it.
HEAR About It
Explain
How does Romans 8:18-25 deepen your understanding of James 5:7-12? What does Paul’s description of creation’s waiting reveal about the hope believers carry? What stood out most to you?
Prayer and Reflection
Take a few minutes to sit quietly and reflect on the passage you read today. Let the Holy Spirit bring to mind what stood out to you and why. Then spend some time in prayer. Pray for the people around you, for your outlook on this day, and for the needs you are carrying in your own life.
Lord Jesus, thank You for the Spirit You have given as the firstfruits of everything You have promised. When the sufferings of this present time feel heavy, turn my eyes toward the glory that is still to be revealed, and give me the patience to hope for what I cannot yet see. Amen.
