"For the creation was subjected to vanity"
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Some days I am like an ant lying in a red wheelbarrow inside a green garden shed and pondering the universe in existential angst.
Outside that red wheelbarrow, there’s another world. And outside the shed, there’s a greater world. The mind of the ant has walls. But so do we humans.
But let us explore that million-dollar Biblical question: Why does God permit suffering?
Imagine the scenario: one day in spring the village passers-by would observe a tiny robin building her nest. Puffing and panting, she worked all day collecting straw and intricately weaving a safe nest for her coming family.
That evening, the farmer came out and knocked down the nest.
The next day, the robin continued her bob-bob-bobbing along working tirelessly to prepare a home for the little ones.
Once again, the farmer returned that evening and knocked down that nest.
This continued for several days until the robin sought sweeter pastures. And soon after, a storm arrived and the whole tree was horizontal the following morning.
You see, the farmer knew the storm was coming and the tree was diseased, so by knocking the nest down, it eventually persuaded the robin to evacuate to a less hostile environment.
And this is the point, many condemn and abandon God due to human suffering, but they do not understand why God permits evil.
Take a few moments to read and ponder what is being said in the following verses. There are several points being made,
1. God has permitted suffering (Verse 20,21).
2. There will be a deliverance from suffering (Verse 21).
3. God is aware of the pain suffering causes (Verse 22).
4. God requires us to be patient (Verse 25.)
Romans 8:18-25
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us. For the creation waits with eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of decay into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now. Not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in hope is that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for that which he sees? But if we hope for that which we don’t see, we wait for it with patience.
Berean Standard Bible
I will return to this thought at the weekend.