The Best is Yet to Come
Romans 8:18–21
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.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
On Dec 31, 2019, Keith and Kristyn Getty posted a reflection leading up to the new year. One of the lines especially still sticks with me today: “The best of times cannot outdo, nor the worst of times undo the hope that is to come - what a comforting and steadying thought that is. We have not missed out on the best and the best has not already happened.”
Just two and a half months later, the World Health Organization would declare COVID-19 a pandemic and Illinois would go into shutdown. That same week, Keith and Kristyn Getty released a hymn that our elder, Jungsun Moon, would lead us in throughout the pandemic: “Christ our Hope in Life and Death.”
Paul speaks to all in Christ who have, will, and even now are experiencing pain and suffering. He speaks of futility, bondage to corruption, weakness, and groaning when there simply are no words. And to those in Christ who share in Christ’s suffering, he says, there is hope in the unseen, there is assurance of our inheritance, and there is purpose through it all.
For all of this is leading to what we hope for: A future glory that will be revealed, freedom, and the redemption of our bodies after this life on earth. This hope is not a passing good feeling or a fleeting dream. It is not wishful thinking or a false promise. It is a hope independent of the utmost despair; incomparable to any human triumph. It is a hope that implicates a present life of worship no matter what. It is a hope unconstrained by our time on this earth.
So let us praise the Lord together:
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us...a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.” 1 Peter 1:3-4
