I've just been doing some typesetting for Explore Bible reading notes. I found the following comments on Romans 8 v 18-27 so inspiring, that I had to copy them here!
Paul is inviting believers to stop concentrating on present problems and fix their sights instead on future glory. That’s where the three groanings come in—they are not grumbling kind of groanings, but longing-for-glory groanings.
CREATION GROANS (v19-22)
The creation around us is in a terrible state. Man’s sin has ruined what was created perfect. It is groaning in pain, like a woman in childbirth (v 22). But why is it groaning like this? Because it is longing for the future. Even the creation is straining its neck, eager for the time of freedom and glory for the sons of God (v 19, 21). The groans are evidence that glory is ahead!
BELIEVERS GROAN (v23-25)
Of course we aren’t perfectly happy yet. We’re not yet in full possession of the salvation that is ours! We must wait patiently, expectantly, confidently (that’s what ‘hope’ means, v 24). Christians have the ‘firstfruits’ (v 23)—the Holy Spirit in us is the down payment of the full harvest; but we groan in painful longing to know the full glory and freedom of sons of God.
HOLY SPIRIT GROANS (v26-27)
In struggling we’re actually in tune with the Spirit of God! If we think we should be on cloud nine all the time we’ve got it wrong—the Holy Spirit is groaning along with us as we struggle in prayer, hardly knowing how to cope and what to pray in our sin-soaked environment. He understands, He helps us, He secures God’s approval of our feeble cries. But it won’t be too hard—pray through v 18 until you agree!
Isn't that brilliant - and SO encouraging! You can find out more about Explore Bible-reading notes here.
2 comments:
my daughter has become quite a reader. i recently ordered xtb/tabletalk 2, easter, and summer, but have been unable to find xtb/tabletalk 1 and christmas. i have checked matthias media and the good book co. as well as amazon. any suggestions?
any help is much appreciated.
grace to you,
clay hall
salem, ky usa
Hi Clay - for some electronic reason I've only just seen your comment 16 months later! Sorry. You can get the full range of XTB and Table Talk from The Good Book Company's US website at http://www.thegoodbook.com/daily-devotional-reading/explore-the-bible
I hope your daughter is still enjoying exploring the Bible and growing to know the God who loves her.
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