Romans 8:22 says, “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time…” When I got up last Tuesday morning the heat and humidity was oppressive. The pine trees in my yard were groaning, “O, not another day!” The lawn has been dead silent for three weeks now. I don’t know if she’ll recover. But around ten o’clock in the morning the breeze came with some good news, “Here comes the rain. It’s right behind me.” The trees began to sway and the clouds began to thicken. The temperature cooled just a little, signaling the approaching relief. When the rains came the trees clapped their hands and the creek sprang to life –I don’t know if the lawn will make it… Did you notice how the vegetation seemed to just “groan” under this temporary dry spell? Now watch how your yard and garden pick up after this rain. We’ll be back to mowing in no time! I don’t know if that is good news or not!

I know that I might have stretched Romans 8:22 just a bit, but I wonder, have you ever thought about what Paul meant when he said that all creations groan waiting for its liberation from the bondage to decay and to be brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God? I have. What will our forest look like when there won’t be any more dead or diseased trees? What will the deserts offer when God causes them to bloom? Think about it; no more poison ivy, oak or “wait-a-minute” bushes. What are “wait-a-minute” bushes, you ask. John Eckelberry showed me one. They are the bushes that, while you are walking through the woods, they grab a hold of you and you have to wait a minute before you move forward, or else you get it! Isaiah tells us that the wolf will lie down with the lamb and a child will lead the lion and calf. Think about it; no more road kill. The lakes and streams will be drinkable and the soil will offer its fruit freely. No more destructive storms, oppressive heat or deep freezes. Zechariah calls it a unique day, a day known only to the Lord. A day without heat or frost, daytime or nighttime. When the evening comes, there will be light. On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem. On that day the Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be only one Lord, and his name the only name. Guns and weapons will be no more and all the nations will be blessed because Jesus Christ, the Seed of Abraham, will begin His eternal reign on earth!


On that day, we shall be liberated from the bondage of these mortal bodies. Aging will be unthinkable, decay will be a thing forgotten. God is going to fulfill His promise and we shall receive the new body that shall keep us for all eternity. No more pain, no more suffering, no more death. God is going to make all things new! Just as Tuesday’s morning breeze proclaimed the coming rain that blessed central Ohio, so the sign of the times are letting us know that Jesus will be back soon. Look up Beloved, your Redeemer cometh with salvation. Let us wake up from our slumber so that Christ will shine on us. Let us set our minds on things above where Jesus is at the right hand of God ready to come back to the earth. And, when He appears, -because He is your life- then you also, will appear with Him in glory! Alleluia! Come Lord Jesus!