November 17, 2002

FROM GROANING TO GLORY

Romans 8:17-21

   Did Paul practice what he preached, that present sufferings are not worthy to be compared with the glory to be revealed? Romans 8:18. His experiences endured in the Acts together with all he mentions in his epistles confirm that, apart from the Lord Jesus, no one suffered like Paul! His humility expressed itself when he thought of his service as, "less than the least of all saints" (Eph. 3:8). But when comparing his suffering with that of others, He said, "I more" (2 Cor. 11:23).

   And is this suffering limited to mankind? Not if we consider the language of the prophets; "The land mourns ... the corn is wasted; the new wine is dried up, the oil languishes...because joy is withered away among the sons of men... How do the beasts groan! ...the beasts of the field cry also unto Thee," (Joel 1:10-20). And, "How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein?" (Jer. 12:4). And "the earth mourns and languishes; Lebanon is ashamed"( Isa. 33:9). What can this mean but the effects of the curse extending throughout creation because of Adam's sin?

   It was because "the creation was subjected...in hope," that it should be "delivered from the bondage of corruption" along with "the glory of the liberty of the children of God" (8:21). Little wonder that we read, "Sing, O heavens; and be joyful , O earth; and break forth into singing , O mountains: for the Lord has comforted His people" (Isa. 49:13). And, "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth...Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof...let the floods clap their hands; let the hills be joyful together before the Lord; for He comes to judge the earth" (Psa. 98:4-9). Extensive as was the sin, even so is the blessing!

   "Subject to vanity" describes: the woman in sorrow and submission, the man in labor, death, and decay, the ground cursed "for thy sake," the animals from which God made coats of skins dying, and which later experienced the "dread of man," the thorns and thistles," and the children demonstrating vanity by murder and the name of "Abel," which means vanity! But "subjected in hope" must point to the promised Seed of the woman and the far reaching redemption, deliverance, glory, and liberty! Praise ye the Lord!

Ivan L. Burgener