Three Groanings
Submitted by Frank Williams
November 16, 2023
Ro 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Ro 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Ro 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
1. Groan of The Creation—Rom 8:22
The whole creation includes the animal kingdom referred to in v.21. We live in a world that has been, and is all the more, being broken down by sin. It does not function the way God originally intended. The fall of man affected all of creation—so much so, God says that it suffers greatly. I don’t understand the how of that, but I do believe it. We hear the groans and pains of creation in earthquakes, extreme weather, and other convulsions of nature.
The message that these natural events seek to remind us is that this world is under the curse of man’s sin. There will be future more loud and painful roarings of this world during the Tribulation—in ways that man has never seen nor heard.
2. Groan of The Creature—Rom 8:23
This groaning comes upon us in labors, sweat, tears, and terrors. Every time we attend a funeral or visit a suffering loved one, we are reminded that our bodies have yet to experience redemption.
Body redemption—what a delightful anticipation! To be rid of the clog and hindrance of our sin nature—what a cause of rejoicing! Our souls groan for this deliverance.
Hands that have sinned will then be lifted to praise Him. Eyes distracted by the world will then see only the King in His beauty. A mind that is troubled with temptations of this life, will be forever knit to Him. And our spirit will no longer be hindered in its eternal worship and adoration of Jesus.
See also 2 Cor 5:1-4.
3. Groan of The Creator—Rom 8:26
The blessed Holy Spirit groans with us, and He interprets our heart-prayers to the Father. The blessed Father must have groaned at the suffering of His Son. He allowed Him to be beaten and crucified. The blessed Son groaned at the tomb of Lazarus. Joh 11:33, 38.
For the saved, some day soon, all the groanings will cease. They will become eternal praises.
CONSIDER: Your groanings are not in vain. Glory later is as sure as suffering now—Rom 8:18.
