It was April 1984, and I was standing in line at the barbershop at Fort McClellan in Anniston, AL wondering what in the world have I done. Neither movie nor tales from former soldiers can truly prepare a person for the reality of Basic Training. If I thought I was tough before joining the Army, I was about to find out something quite differently. I thought rising early, calisthenics, marching, uniformity, mess-hall food, drills, and going to bed late was the work of sadists who wore Smokey the Bear hats. However . . . the suffering had a purpose. I was shedding who I was and becoming what I needed to be so I could serve a greater purpose. My groaning would last as long as the training and the day would come when I would reach the goal; graduation and an assignment somewhere else.
Our text reminds us that we have not graduated yet and we are still in training. We are to remember that our suffering, our groaning is purposeful and it is preparing us for something greater. Within these verses, we notice that the creation groans (v.22), the believers groan (v.23) and the Spirit groans (v.26).
Behind Paul’s words that our “present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” is a life of affliction. In 2 Corinthians, Paul writes to the believers there pretty much the same thing; “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Cor 4:17). The Fall has broken everything. We suffer because sin has ravaged all that there is and has left us a people who suffer through its miserable effects.
Adam’s sin not only affected people, but the creation itself groans because it is broken (vv.20-22) and awaits patiently the redemption of God’s people. The birth metaphor is good because we all understand an expectant mother groaning in pain but expecting a joyous outcome. We humans also groan inwardly as we long for and wait for our redemption (vv.23-25) and we hope expectantly that it will come to pass. Some of us wish it would be sooner than later because the groaning seems to be unbearable.
When we do not know whether to pray for strength to make it through our calamities or be delivered from them, the Holy Spirit groans with unexpressed words to God on our behalf. John Stott says these words are “unexpressed rather than inexpressible.” Do not fear that since the words of the Holy Spirit may be unexpressed that they are meaningless. They are groans that empathize with us and are heard by God according to His will (vv.26-27).
Groaning expresses both the pain of suffering and the longing for deliverance.
Ps 30:5b says, “weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Read this psalm if you are groaning today and be encouraged that though you may groan because of suffering, the creation and all its inhabitants groan with you at some level. If you know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, then your adoption as sons (or daughters), the redemption of your bodies, and a restored created order are already yours now . . . and not yet. It’s coming because God said it is and our steadfast hope is in those things from God that we cannot see. If you don’t believe that, then drop and give me 20.
Grace and Peace,
Rich
thecornfedpastor 