Day 2

Bible passage: Romans 8:18–25 (ESVUK)

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 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. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Thinking about the new creation and prayer

Romans 8 speaks of creation and us waiting for the glory of the new creation (seen in us being made glorious like Jesus) to be revealed.

How does Romans 8 help you to see that the new creation is something worth waiting for?

In lockdown at the moment, we are waiting for many things. The new creation we’re waiting for is incomparable to the bad things we thought about on day 1 (v18) and is far greater than the best things we are looking forward to after lockdown ends. The new creation is not just this creation with sin and suffering removed. It is far better and more glorious (v18).

  • Think: about how you have found waiting for the lockdown to end. Think of the thing you are most looking forward to at the end of lockdown. Perhaps a holiday, a time in nature, a great meal out or spending time with a certain person. Why are you looking forward to this? What is so good about it? Picture yourself being there and doing it. Consider the sights, smells and sounds. What will you feel? How does waiting for this help you to understand what it means to wait for the new creation?
  • Pray: ask God to help you wait for the new creation to come, and to long for it to come more.

Today

It can be helpful to memorise Bible verses, to help us remember the hope that we have of a new creation when we find it hard to wait. Try to memorise a verse from this passage. To do this, read it and say it back to yourself now. Then, later today or tomorrow, at lunch, dinner and before you go to bed, say it or write it down to check you have memorised it. Verse 18, 23 or 24 would be great verses to chose.

Thinking further if you want

You could try and memorise the whole passage. Try memorising one verse at a time and add a new verse once you’ve memorised the last one.