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Hope for Creation

Romans 8:19-21
For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. (NIVUK)

Everyone who trusts in Jesus should be looking forward to His return.  That Day will mark the end of the 'old order of things' and announce the supremacy of His Kingdom.  It will also be the death toll of sin's reign over our old natures.  And we shall be changed (1 Corinthians 15:21-22)!  No longer the rejected people of earth, we will be revealed as the glorious children of our heavenly Father.

And that is not all.  The arrival of the King will also signal that the curse over creation (Genesis 3:17-19) will be lifted (Isaiah 11:6-9).  If the inanimate world could express emotions, it would rejoice at the prospect of being able to function properly with no decay.  But its redemption is secondary to the 'sons of God' being revealed.  Not until the redeemed have been liberated from the final ties of sin can their habitat be transformed - as our Lord inaugurates the new heavens and new earth, the home of righteousness (2 Peter 3:13).

Much is said about global warming, ecological conservation and creation care; and we certainly do need to be more responsible stewards of the world which is our temporary home.  But we cannot get the world right any more than we can make ourselves perfect - both need the Sovereign touch of our God.

However great may be our experience of the church and creation, it is not heaven!  Not until the King comes to reign will the crooked irreversibly be made straight.  Until then, we and the creation struggle imperfectly to achieve our purpose as we receive daily grace from God (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Prayer 
Loving Lord. Thank You that our frustration with suffering is not eternal. Thank You that the Day will come when the reign of Jesus will not be disputed. I am sorry when I have either wasted my energy in angry frustration, or passively accepted a 'nothing will ever change' policy in my life. If the creation is assured of renewal when Christ returns, may I also choose to look forward with confidence to the return of my Saviour. In the meantime, help me to know how to be a good steward of Your world, learning to serve You as well as I can - not holding back from my responsibilities now, yet eagerly anticipating the full unveiling of Your Kingdom. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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© Dr Paul Adams