September 21, 2026
WE ARE WAITING. . .
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.”
Romans 8:19–21 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
Having established that we are adopted children and co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:14–17), Paul expands his scope beyond humanity to encompass the entire physical universe. He reveals how creation itself groans under the weight of human sin, while eagerly straining forward toward the day of ultimate redemption.
1. Creation Was Subjected to the Curse
When Adam and Eve rebelled in the Garden of Eden, the tragic impact was not confined to human hearts. Genesis 3:17–19 records that God cursed the ground because of man's disobedience.
Today, when we see devastating tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, and wild weather events, insurance companies often label them "Acts of God." They are physical symptoms of a broken world suffering under the cosmic curse of human sin. Death, decay, disease, and natural disasters are not God's original design—they are the scars of a fallen creation.
2. Creation is Eagerly Waiting (Apekdechomai)
Paul writes that creation is on tiptoe, waiting for the day when God will fully reveal His children and break the chains of decay.
The Greek word translated as "eagerly waiting" is apekdechomai. It is literally standing on tiptoes with an outstretched neck, intently scanning the horizon. In the New Testament, this specific word appears seven times, and every single usage refers to the glorious return of Jesus Christ.
Creation is waiting for two monumental events:
The Revelation of God’s Children: The day Christ returns for His church, when our mortal bodies will be transformed into His glorious image (1 Corinthians 15:51–53).
Freedom from Decay: The day when the physical universe will be cleansed and re-created, bringing forth a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21:1–5).
3. Our Complete Freedom from Death and Decay
There is a coming day when the final enemies—sickness, aging, pain, injustice, and death—will be permanently destroyed. The glory of God will swallow up mortality, and we will be granted resurrected bodies that will never suffer decay.
This is the unshakable hope of the Gospel! The story of redemption doesn't end with us escaping to a distant cloud; it culminates in God making all things brand-new.
Present Glory for Daily Living
While we eagerly await the future resurrection, the process of reflecting God's glory begins today.
In John 17:22, Jesus prayed to the Father: "I have given them the glory you gave me."
You don't have to wait for the future resurrection to begin reflecting the Father's love, peace, and power to a broken world. Right now, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, God's light can shine through your character, your words, and your daily choices.
Reflection & Application
Do you see the world through the lens of redemption? When you see environmental decay or natural disasters, do you recognize them as creation longing for Christ's return?
Is your hope anchored in Christ's return? Are you living with apekdechomai—an eager, "tiptoe" anticipation of the day Jesus returns?
Are you reflecting God's glory right now? How can you let the glory Jesus gave you shine into someone's dark situation today?
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit, open my spiritual eyes to see the world around me with eternal perspective. Thank You that the pain, sickness, and decay of this present world are not the end of the story.
Fill my heart with eager hope as I look forward to the return of my Savior, when death and decay will be swallowed up in victory.
Prepare my heart today to be a vessel of Your presence. Let Your glory shine through my life right now bringing Your love, peace, and hope to a groaning world around me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”
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