THE BIRTH OF HOPE
OUR GROAN: THE PAIN WE EXPERIENCE

The Apostle Paul, in Romans 8:22, uses the analogy of a woman in labor to describe the upheavals that convulse our world. He writes, “For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now”.

Sin, and the ensuing curse upon creation, has brought all the devastation, destruction and death we witness on a daily basis: earthquakes shaking the ground, volcanoes spewing ash into the skies, tornadoes cutting a swath of horror across the land, floods washing away possessions and people in their muddy current, hurricanes raging ashore, epidemics of loathsome diseases, drought, famine, and war. Need I say more?

The poet, Alfred Lord Tennyson framed it this way, “Nature, red in tooth and claw.” Creation itself moans and groans; it sighs, cries and dies. You can hear the sad, plaintive call in the voice of the wind. The sound of it is full of sorrow as it sweeps through the trees. One looks out the creaking windows, nearly expecting to see some ghostly specter howling in pain.

I wish I could tell you that it’s getting better, but it’s not. In fact, the closer we get to the return of Christ, the more intense the pain will be. But, that’s the way it is with a mother’s labor. The contractions that signal the start of labor are first mere twinges and brief in duration, but become more frequent, prolonged and painful until the last push and the baby emerges from the birth canal. Consider what Jesus said in Luke 21:8-28:

8 And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My
name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them.
9 But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.”
10 Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
11 And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.
12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake.
13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.
14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer;
15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.
16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.
17 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake.
18 But not a hair of your head shall be lost.
19 By your patience possess your souls.
20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.
21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.
22 For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
23 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.
24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;
26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

The very pain creation experiences is the labor that brings the birth of hope (Rom. 8:19-21). J.B. Phillips renders verse nineteen this way, “The whole creation is on tiptoe to see the wonderful sight of the sons of God coming into their own.” What a day that will be when groans give way to glory!