We Groan

Romans 8:22-23 says: "For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." (ESV) 2 Corinthians 5:4-5 echoes: "For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened--not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee." (ESV) For those in Christ, we not only groan in the midst of sufferings inherent with this fallen world, we also groan for a coming Better Day. We groan for the culmination of our adoptions as God's children. We groan for eternal bodies that will never wear out. We groan for the Day when the presence of sin is no more. And we especially groan to be in the glorious presence of our Lord where we will worship Him forevermore. In the meantime, we groan, but even so, as the old hymn declares, it is well with our souls...