Up from the Miry Pit

Up from the Miry pit. Romans 8:18-30.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. Romans 8:18-19 (NKJV)

Resisting temptation, saying no to what our bodies seek as pleasure, and serving others before ourselves, can cause suffering. It is hard to be patient with people who do not understand the concepts of scripture. Loving people who are repulsive, abusive, obsessive, and mean is not a joyous job and a Christian worker will endure many more sufferings as He seeks to take good news to the people God values. No matter how low a person sinks, God wants us to reach down to pull them up; "Out from the miry clay" as the Psalmist puts it.

He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay , and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Psalms 40:2-4 (KJV)

Paul, and Christians like him, suffered persecutions and though imprisoned, he found refuge where it was safe to minister. He considered his suffering worth accepting, embracing, and endearing so that he might further the good news that Jesus Chris saves from sin.

How can a person find peace, joy, and love when being mistreated, abused, and confined? The answer comes from a person's understanding of how eternity with God will impact them.

Today, let us consider God's creation and draw a perspective of eternity from it. Each day, the dark of night turns into day. Where the dark leaves a person with feelings of isolation and limited perception, the day removes all of that and light opens up what was hidden. To us this lifetime is like the night; yet, the day is coming where we will see eternity as clearly as we do our day.

The seasons are another example of God's creation teaching us to trust God. Winter causes a stress on the earth that rips it apart, kills vegetation, causes animals to hibernate, and brings an appearance of death. Yet, when spring has sprung, new life emerges, the animal's flourish, and flowers emerge with beauty that can be breathtaking.

Much like the times of our lives, from the grip of winter come the glories of spring, summer, and fall. From the wintery womb, we spring to childhood, mature through summer, and then face our last days falling to the ground like a leave. Yet it is not over, we will rise again.

The very intricacies of earth show evidence of a masterful hand in creation. The same creator who said, over two thousand years ago, that He was going away to prepare a place for us that where He is, we may be also, made this earth in six days, how much more has He made over two thousand years?

For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Romans 8:20-22 (NKJV)

Everything about this earth has a catastrophic tension that grabs it by its fabric and shakes it in a violent frenzy. The desire for beauty and peace is felt throughout; from the smallest of God's creation to the largest, each want something more, something better and that desire was instilled in us by God.

It is unmistakably noticeable that everything anticipates something more, something wonderful, while it braces for the next assault. This we know to be from the heart of God, who also waits in eager anticipation for His creation to join Him having the separation of sin annulled.

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. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Romans 8:23-25 (NKJV)

Animals, fish, flowers, trees, and grasses, have in them the suffering of separation from their creator; they run and grow to defeat death. Thought they are unable to perceive why, they too show signs of desire to live; yet non escape deaths grasp. We who have a soul and spirit understand that we are removed from God and knowing why, we too seek after life.

Yet only when a person reaches out from the miry clay can they begin to have faith which is the substance of things hoped for. In this hope comes the understanding of why, and who God is. How much He loves us is opened in our understanding and an eagerness to be delivered develops in our soul. What was once a void in our life becomes filled with a hope, and anticipation of greater things to come.

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. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27 (NKJV)

From the time we reach out to God, God reaches back to us. His hand stretched out, able to influence, but unable to touch. The sin that separates Him from us, ever causing a distance; yet there too He made a way for us to know Him in a greater capacity.

We cannot be touched by His hand, but we can be reached through His spirit. People call faith blind, but to those who know Jesus Christ, they experience faith with answers to their needs, help in times of trouble, love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness, able to suffer long.

Even when we have no words to express our feelings, God makes communication possible through His spirit. The very groans we emit are translated into prayer unto God.

Though He cannot touch us, His spirit searches our hearts and reaches into every part of our life, knowing us, comforting us, and teaching us the paths of righteousness.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

Though we, through faith, hope, and love, reach out for salvation desiring to be free from this life; we turn our lives to Him in service as He has done to us, loving others, being His hands and His feet. Though turbulent, this life has much to teach us and will influence our perception of the success of eternity.