Hope That Waits With Confidence
Friday’s Reading:
From Romans 8:18-25 ESV
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.
Today, our reading is longer than usual. We are looking at the topic of Being Faithful in 2025. Our focus today on Romans 8 is the hope that Christians have in our Lord Jesus Christ.
We know suffering. We see it in the news. We see it in our communities. We see it in our own hearts. Pain, frustration, and futility are facts of life in a fallen world.
But Saint Paul calls us to lift our eyes above the chaos and groaning of today. He doesn’t deny the reality of suffering—he weighs it honestly. And then he compares it to something greater: the glory to come.
Paul’s words in Romans 8 remind us that our present struggles are temporary, but our future in Christ is eternal. The creation itself, he says, is groaning as it waits to be set free from corruption. And we too groan inwardly as we wait—not with despair, but with hope.
This hope is not wishful thinking. It’s not vague optimism. It’s rooted in God’s promise, anchored in the resurrection of Jesus, and sustained by the Holy Spirit. We hope for what we do not yet see, and we wait for it with patience—not because it’s easy, but because we trust the One who has already secured our redemption.
In Lutheran terms, this is known as the concept of simul justus et peccator—at once justified and still a sinner. But in Christ, we see that brokenness isn’t the end of the story. The Spirit is our guarantee. The cross is our proof. The empty tomb is our future.
Prayers
A Prayer for Today:
Lord Jesus, in this world full of sorrow and waiting, anchor our hearts in the hope You give. Help us to wait with confidence, trust in Your promises, and live today in light of the glory to come. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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