From Groans to Glory
How do we pray when we don't know what to pray? How can we see God's hand at work in the most desperate situations that seem to have no resolution?
How do we get the truth we know in our minds all the way to our hearts?
Romans 8:18-30 helps with these questions (see text below). In this passage, Paul shows us how to align our requests with the larger purposes God is doing in our lives and in the lives of those around us with these truths:
*the coming glory is far greater than our current sufferings
*our bondage and decay is transformed into freedom
*we groan under the weight of misery with the sure hope of glory to come
*the Holy Spirit interprets for us when we have no words
*God is working in us for His glory and our good: our suffering has purpose!
*God's purpose in our suffering is transformation into the image of Christ.
What can you and I do right now in the midst of difficulty and tribulation?
*Use the Scriptures to give voice to your suffering--praying the Psalms is a great start!
*Remember that Christ's resurrection has everything to do with our sure Hope--not only will we be raised by His power, but our suffering will be redeemed.
*Find ways that you can show love for others. Use your own difficulty as a reminder of the needs of others.
*Connect with the people of God. We can share each others' burdens.
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. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified."
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©2022 Julianne Knapp. Originally published 1.18.22
How do we get the truth we know in our minds all the way to our hearts?
Romans 8:18-30 helps with these questions (see text below). In this passage, Paul shows us how to align our requests with the larger purposes God is doing in our lives and in the lives of those around us with these truths:
*the coming glory is far greater than our current sufferings
*our bondage and decay is transformed into freedom
*we groan under the weight of misery with the sure hope of glory to come
*the Holy Spirit interprets for us when we have no words
*God is working in us for His glory and our good: our suffering has purpose!
*God's purpose in our suffering is transformation into the image of Christ.
What can you and I do right now in the midst of difficulty and tribulation?
*Use the Scriptures to give voice to your suffering--praying the Psalms is a great start!
*Remember that Christ's resurrection has everything to do with our sure Hope--not only will we be raised by His power, but our suffering will be redeemed.
*Find ways that you can show love for others. Use your own difficulty as a reminder of the needs of others.
*Connect with the people of God. We can share each others' burdens.
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. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified."
Subscribe to free weekly articles in your inbox HERE; your information will never be shared. :-)
©2022 Julianne Knapp. Originally published 1.18.22