“THE GROANING CHAPTER”

“THE GROANING CHAPTER”

22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Romans 8:22-23,26 - NKJV

The Book of Romans is such an intense and important narrative of the Bible that many scholars think that through its teachings alone, we can explore the whole message of God’s salvation shown in these wonderful writings of the Apostle Paul.

Chapter 8 is a masterpiece and particularly in this section of the Book we see Paul talking about three kinds of groaning: coming from the whole creation, from us, believers, and even from the Holy Spirit.

The idea is that of such expectation for God and His righteousness, His favor and mercy, that every inch of our soul longs for it. In this cosmic and holistic context, nature “labors with birth pangs” for a marvelous “new world”; we as believers desperately groan with the expectation of being called sons and daughters of God; and the Holy Spirit makes such an intercession for us as we pray before the Father, that it would be completely indecipherable and indiscernible to the human understanding.

The question posed for all of us today is this: “Do we have such a longing to see God’s manifestation to the point of groaning in our spirit - like Jesus also did while preparing Himself to resuscitate His friend Lazarus (John 11:38) - in full expectation of the marvelous revelation of God’s glory in our lives?

Yes, we must have this burning and compelling craving towards our God, in all we do, this intensity of a sincere groaning while seeking Him, a groaning that can only be quenched by His manifestation in our midst, and the perpetuation of His will in all we do.

Let’s experience, with the aid of our Helper, a groaning passion for God!

Wishing many blessings to you and your family!
Pastor Joshua