Romans 8:19-22

Imagine for a moment that the most beautiful woman in the world constantly wears a frown on her face. Would she still be beautiful? Maybe or maybe not. Even though initially she may be, eventually her frown will distort her facial bones and muscles and it is likely that her beauty will be marred.

The nature that we see and marvel at has been groaning in frustration since the fall of mankind. That is thousands of years worth of groaning. Despite that, the nature is still spectacular, from the majesty of the universe to the intricate details of tiny living things. The sun that sustains all life forms on this earth is but a medium-sized star, of which there are so many as to defy a count. Its radiant light and heat have been emanating for thousands of years without failing. By contrast, we humans strive to make a light bulb that will last thousands of hours. A tiny fruit fly has been the subject of decades of research by a host of scientists. There is still a mystery to the little insect that people have not unraveled. If the nature after years of groaning is still so spectacular that through it, God’s invisible qualities are clearly manifested (Romans 1:20), how much more spectacular would the nature have been before the fall of mankind – before all the groaning began?

What is it that the nature has been groaning about? The subject of frustration has been its bondage to decay. Nothing in the nature lasts forever. A seed is planted in the ground and germinates to grow a flower or a shrub or a tree. It grows to maturity and then dies and decays. With longevity, a tree might last a thousand years, but still must die. An animal life lasts even shorter. Even inanimate objects or human artifacts don’t last forever. All things are subject to decay.

But there will be a day of release from this bondage to decay. The entire universe is waiting for this day, just as we the believers of Jesus Christ wait for it. It is the day of His second coming, when we will be resurrected. Whereas a perishable body is sewn, it will be raised imperishable. Whereas it is sewn in dishonor, it will be raised in honor. Whereas it is sewn in weakness, it will be raised in power. Whereas it is sewn a natural body, it will be raised a spiritual body. (I Corinthians 15:42-44). The first heaven and the first earth will have passed away and a new heaven and a new earth will come (Revelations 21:1).

Like many things, what is now is but a shadow of what is to come (cf. Hebrews 10:1). I praise God for giving us the nature, through which we can get a glimpse of the better world to come as well as of His divinity and eternal power. How spectacular and supremely wonderful are His handiworks! Hallelujah!