I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18
This will probably feel uncomfortable, but I want you to say a word out loud and with passion. The word is A-A-A-R-R-R-G-G-G-H-H-H! Okay, 1, 2, 3 go! Do you feel better? Do you feel silly? You are probably thinking, “this guy has lost his mind.” Before you stop reading, please know that this was not an act of linguistic aerobics and has much to do with a passage scripture from Romans 8. In a way this strange word has a unique relationship to the biblical text. Some of you may even recognized this word. It is the word that Charlie Brown, from the comic strip Peanuts, would use when Lucy pulled the football away. He would always land on his back and yell “AAARRRGGGHHH!” This was the writer’s attempt to express with a single word what we would call a groan. A groan is an expression of hurt, frustration and longing for things to be better. Charlie Brown was groaning because he was frustrated at repeated failure, and he was longing for a better day.
There are a lot of people who feel as if life has let them down and have a “groaning” for things to be better. In the text below, this issue of groaning in addressed and shows how HOPE can relieve our souls. It can even have you on your tiptoes in anticipation. Romans 8:19 says, “The whole creation is on its tiptoe to see the wonderful sight of the sons of God coming into their own.” Hope looks to the future, not to the present. Hope that is seen is no hope at all. 2nd Corinthians 4:18: “So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
As Christians we hope, and we wait. Ours is not a doubting, wavering hope. Rather it is a sure and certain hope in God’s promises. We can persevere through the suffering, because the glory is coming. We wait patiently for what we do not yet have. Even when we are at our lowest and weakest and “… we do not know what we ought to pray for …the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. He searches our hearts (and) intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.” Romans 8:26-27. I have good news: God searches your heart and knows the groans. You are not alone. It is time to get a grip on hope. Hope will get you to your feet. Hope will put you up on your tiptoes. “Lift up (your) eyes to the mountains.” Help is on the way. You ask, “Where does it come from?” “It comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121-1-2.
