2017 40 Days of Prayer, Day 22
The Abiding Presence of God:
A Life of Complete Dependence
Day 22
“For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.” Romans 8:22
Creation Groans
The evidence of this verse is continuously unfolding right before our very eyes. Hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, fires and the other troubles we see all around us. Consider this quote from George Whitefield in his sermon, The Method of Grace. “I have often thought that if there were no other argument to prove original sin, the rising of wolves and tigers against man, or even the barking of a dog against us, is a proof of original sin. Tigers and lions would not rise against us, if it were not for Adam’s first sin; for when the creatures rise up against us, it is as much as to say, ‘You have sinned against God, and we take up our Master’s quarrel.’ If we look inwardly, we shall see enough of lusts, and man’s temper. There is pride, malice, and revenge, in all our hearts; and this temper cannot come from God; it comes from our first parent, Adam, who, after he fell from God, fell out of God into the devil.” The creation has taken up the Creator’s quarrel with us. This is the continual reminder that the universe buckles under the weight of human sin.
In Romans 8:22, the great apostle continues his argument. Do not despair because of suffering in this present time. Even creation itself is groaning under the weight of human rebellion. However, the creation groans, in part, because it knows that the story is not completed. Creation groans because it knows God is at work in the groaning. We also must know the conclusion of this divine drama. If creation groans with the pains of childbirth, then there is a coming birth, a birth of something new. We should also understand our current suffering in this vein, as mere birth pains. God is birthing something new, the glorified, eternal lives of His adopted children. Paul wanted the church at Rome to see that all of creation views these troubling times from divine perspective. There is trouble. However, just as the beginning pains of childbirth is trouble, the end result of the pain of childbirth is the joy of the parents and the bringing forth of new life. This is our destiny as God’s adopted children. We have a future hope of freedom from the pains of this fallen world.
Prayer Focus
God, please hear my prayer today. Father, I see the evidence all around me that the world is not as it should be. I see in Your Word that the creation has been subjected to the futility of human sin. I also see in Your Word that the creation is longing for our final redemption. Thank You for adopting me into Your family through faith in Jesus Christ. I confess that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I confess that my sins can only be forgiven through His death and resurrection. I believe that I will be with Him forever because He has defeated sin and death. Father, please help me to remain faithful to You when the ease and pleasures of life are around me. Oh, righteous Father, also keep me faithful when the troubles of this life surround me, knowing that You will redeem all things, even my troubles. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord, I pray. Amen.
From DL Moody’s Secret Power
MASTER AND SERVANT
There is a very sweet story of Elijah and Elisha, and I love to dwell on it. The time had come for Elijah to be taken up, and he said to Elisha, “You stay here at Gilgal, and I will go up to Bethel.” There was a theological seminary there, and some young students, and he wanted to see how they were getting along. But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and your soul lives, I will not leave thee.” And so Elisha just kept close to Elijah. They came to Bethel, and the sons of the prophets came out and said to Elisha, “Do you know that your master is to be taken away?” And Elisha said, “I know it; but you be still.” Then Elijah said to Elisha, “You remain at Bethel until I go to Jericho.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives and my soul lives, I will not leave you.” “You shall not go without me, “says Elisha. I can imagine that Elisha just put his arm in that of Elijah, and they walked down together. I can see those two mighty men walking down to Jericho. When they arrived there, the sons of the prophets came and said to Elisha, “Do you know that your master is to be taken away?” “Hush! keep still,” says Elisha, “I know it” And then Elijah said to Elisha, “Remain here awhile; for the Lord hath sent me to Jordan.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives and my soul lives, I will not leave you. You will not go without me.” When they came to the Jordan, Elijah took off his mantle and struck the waters, and they separated. The two passed through like giants, dry land, and fifty sons of the prophets came to look at them and watch them. They didn’t know it but Elijah would be taken up right in their sight. As they passed over Jordan, Elijah said to Elisha, “Now, what do you want?” He knew he was after something. “What can I do for you? Just make your request known.” And Elisha said, “I would like a double portion of your Spirit.” I can imagine now that Elijah had given him a chance to ask; he said to himself, “I will ask for enough.” Elisha had a good deal of the Spirit, but, says he, “I want a double portion of your Spirit.” “Well,” says Elijah, “if you see me when I am taken up, then you will have it.” Do you think you could have enticed Elisha from Elijah at that moment? I can almost see the two arm in arm, walking along, as they walked, there came along the chariot of fire, and before Elisha knew it, Elijah was caught up. As he went sweeping towards the throne, the servant cried, “My Father! My Father! The chariot of Israel and the horsemen!” Elisha saw him no more. He picked up Elijah’s fallen mantle, and returning with that old mantle of his master’s, he came to the Jordan and cried for Elijah’s God. The waters separated, and he passed through dry-land. Then the watching prophets lifted up their voices and said, “The Spirit of Elijah is upon Elisha;” and so it was, a double portion of it. May the Spirit of Elijah, beloved reader, be upon us. If we seek for it we will have it. Oh, may the God of Elijah answer by fire and consume the spirit of worldliness in the churches, burn up the dust, and make us whole-hearted Christians. May that Spirit come upon us; let that be our prayer in our families and in our own hearts. Let us cry out to God that we may have double portion of the Holy Spirit, and that we may not rest satisfied with this worldly state of living, but let us shake ourselves and come out from the world, that we may have the POWER OF GOD.