Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. Romans 8:23
What we experience now is only the firstfruits of the Spirit, but one day we will experience the whole crop! “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known” (1 John 3: 2). We live between the ‘now’ and the ‘not yet.’
Now we are children of God and we experience some of the blessings of God’s kingdom, but not all. We see glimpses of his kingdom. We see some healings, some miracles but we know that not everyone is healed, and not everyone who needs a miracle receives one. These firstfruits should encourage us to believe and pray, “Your kingdom come” because we desire to see more and more of his kingdom forcefully advancing and impacting our world for good (Matthew 11:12).
Meanwhile, we groan inwardly as we wait to experience all that God has for us. We groan because we are often overwhelmed with the consequences of living in a broken world and our inability to make an impact in the face of so many difficulties. Yet we can have hope because we know God has so much more to reveal. “‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him’— but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).
While groaning is our inward experience, hope is our outward expression. Hope doesn’t deny the world’s brokenness but looks forward to receiving the full harvest of God’s promises.
Thanks for sharing your devotionals. I appreciate your insights into scripture, and your applications for our lives today.
I especially like your comment that "while groaning is our inward expression, hope is our outward expression." Someone could think that is a two-faced way to live, but it isn't. It's a paradox. We can live in this broken world, aware of the struggles and groaning under their weight, but filled with hope because we know that Go's promises are true and we will receive the full harvest! Praise the Lord!
Thanks for sharing your devotionals. I appreciate your insights into scripture, and your applications for our lives today.
I especially like your comment that "while groaning is our inward expression, hope is our outward expression." Someone could think that is a two-faced way to live, but it isn't. It's a paradox. We can live in this broken world, aware of the struggles and groaning under their weight, but filled with hope because we know that Go's promises are true and we will receive the full harvest! Praise the Lord!
Paradox is a good word to describe it. Thanks Ginger for your thoughts.
Paradox is a good word to describe it. Thanks Ginger for your thoughts.