LIGHT INTO DARKNESS (21)
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Romans 8:21 | "... the bondage of decay..." |
Often, in a time like this - a time of suffering and sickness - we ask:
"Why does this have to happen to me?"
Why is there so much pain and misery in this world? Even the Bible does not disclaim the existence of adversity, sickness and suffering. In fact, these things are regarded as part of the reality of this earthly life. The creation, the Bible says, is like a slave, a helpless victim of decay and decline and degradation. While mankind would want to believe and pretend that everything is improving, we are in fact living in a broken world, full of pain and suffering.
Is there any consolation in such a broken world, amidst all the sickness and sorrow and affliction?
Yes, there is consolation.
The consolation is that while God Himself subjected the world to this degradation. He still rules. He still has his finger on the pulse of this world. He still determines everything and every one’s future, even where there is suffering.
He also gives us the assurance that there is another reality on its way: the eternal glory. At this stage we are still sighing in unison with the whole of creation, sighing and moaning because of the pains of the degradation.
But these are not hopeless sighs.
These are sighs of expectation.
These are sighs within trusting faith,
These are sighs within the conviction that God, our heavenly Father rules.
Also in my sickness.