Patience, the fruit of Hope
Future Glory
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons 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 glorious freedom of the children of God.
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 as sons, 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 he already has? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Tommy's Thoughts:
In these paragraphs, Paul assured us that all our current suffering will seem as nothing when compared with the glory we will experience in the age to come. All these hardship we are going through are temporarily. We need to wait patiently like a bare, leafless and gnarled tree waiting for the warmth and brightness of spring. The full redemption of our bodies, like an eternal spring, will come one day.
Patience is the fruit of the Spirit and also the fruit of hope. Despite all my current frustration, disappointment, pain and struggle, I would like to thank you Lord for continuously inspiring me through the Spirit with hope. Thank you too for giving me the strength and patience to endure them everyday.
.......the devotion of Tommy
