Paul has been writing about the Lord’s great love for us. The obvious question then is, “Why do God’s beloved children still suffer?” This is the question Paul sets out to address in today’s passage. Let’s go through verse by verse.

Today’s Reading: Romans 8:18-30

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

All you need to know: what God has planned not just for us but even in us will be SO MUCH BETTER than anything we currently suffer.

19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

Even the subhuman creation is currently suffering, waiting for the future time when God’s people will be perfected in glory and take their rightful place as stewards of creation. Remember, the purpose of humanity is to rule in God’s place over all of creation, but our sin has made that currently impossible and has had consequences in the subhuman creation. But it will not be like this forever.

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

Paul uses the arresting image of childbirth and explains that it is as if the entire creation is in pain, waiting for the Kingdom to come. In the same way, we are also waiting for God to bring us through and into glory. We wait for that day with hope.

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

But we are not alone! The Father has given us the Spirit, who comforts us and even helps us pray with words deeper than words.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

One of the greatest verses in the entire scripture: God is taking EVERYTHING and turning it to the good of his beloved children, even their sufferings.

29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Paul tells us that God has been actually working out this plan from before The Beginning. There is a good thing coming!

I’ll give Douglas Moo the last word on this passage:

“God’s intention, Paul emphasizes, is to bring to glory every person who has been justified [made right, declared innocent—AF] by faith in Jesus Christ. Our assurance of ultimate victory rests on this promise of God to us. But Paul, ever the realist, knows that that ultimate victory may lie many years ahead—years that might be filled with pain, anxiety, distress, and injustice. Thus he also encourages us by reminding us that God sends his Spirit into the heart of everyone he justifies. The Spirit brings power and comfort to the believer in the midst of suffering and he brings assurance in the midst of doubt. Christians who are unduly anxious about their relationship to the Lord are failing to let the Spirit exercise that ministry. It is by committing ourselves anew to the life of devotion—prayer, Scripture reading, Christian fellowship—that we enable the Spirit to have this ministry of assurance in our hearts”