Alex Kremer - 11-26-2023 // Groaning for Glory; Romans 8:18-30

As children we remember being excited about the first snow of the season.  The first snow meant winter was here, and with winter comes Christmas.  We also remember how time seemed to slow down as we anticipated the coming day.

Likewise, any mother knows the anticipation of bringing a child into the world.  And with this anticipation comes a season of suffering as she experiences the pains of child birth.  But when the child finally arrives, many speak of forgetting the pain once the child is in her arms.

In Romans 8:18-30, Paul writes, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us," (Romans 8:18, LSB).  He then begins to speak of groaning associated with the eager anticipation of the glory to be revealed in us.  We find this groaning coming from three sources:

1. Creation groans
2. We, ourselves, groan
3. The Holy Spirit groans

Thank you for listening to today's lesson.  We pray you will be blessed and encouraged through the teaching of God's holy Word.