It’s a huge answer to prayer after
lots of concern and waiting. God graciously
blessed Mary with strength for an all-natural deliver of only four hours of
labor and 1-2 pushes! Sarah has been praying for “Aunt Mary’s
side not to bleed and the baby to live” for many months now! She will be very
excited this morning when she wakes up!
As children of God, we are eagerly
awaiting our complete salvation and fulfillment of eternal life! Just like
childbirth, suffering proceeds blessings.
Romans 8:16-25 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s
children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of
God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order
that we may also share in his glory.
18 I
consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory
that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager
expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the
creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will
of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation
itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom
and glory of the children of God.
22 We
know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth
right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves,
who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for
our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For
in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes
for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do
not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
As
God helped Mary focus on the impending blessing as she persevered through
suffering, we can do the same as we patiently and eagerly await our full
inheritance as God’s children!
Alice