Romans 8:18–23: … the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 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.

O God, Creator and Sustainer of all things, we long for that time when the whole creation, including ourselves, will be renewed and perfected! Today we struggle with sin, sickness, and decay. As I write, one of my wife’s and my dearest friends is threatened by an aggressive brain cancer. We just received word of the death of another friend.

Give us grace, we pray, to endure trials with that deep and underlying joy that can only come from Your Holy Spirit as He girds our minds with the truth of Your faithfulness to all Your promises, all of which ultimately are “Yes” and “Amen” in Christ Jesus. Thank You for revealing to us that our present sufferings—both our personal ones and the sufferings of the wider creation because of our sin and Your judgment—are not the last word, but that instead You have subjected all creation to futility in hope that it will be set free from bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. I am in awe, Father, as I contemplate what it means for You to have done something in hope! For surely no hope of Yours is ever frustrated! You have decreed the end from the beginning. You do whatever pleases You. In your infinite wisdom, power, and faithfulness You guarantee the fruition of all Your own hope. And this is the ground of our hope also: that the everlasting God, who cannot lie, has assured us that this renewal is coming! So I pray, Father, that You will strengthen all Your people with this hope as we suffer ourselves and watch the suffering of others, including even the earth itself and our fellow creatures in it. Make us wise and diligent servants, not abusing and wasting but multiplying the resources You entrust to us, while we await the coming of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, In whose name we pray, amen.