19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God.

20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope

21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God

— Romans 8:19-21

Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul.

— 1 Peter 2:11

But I will restore your health and heal your wounds, declares the LORD, because they call you an outcast, Zion, for whom no one cares.”

— Jeremiah 30:17

Instead of shame, My people will have a double portion, and instead of humiliation, they will rejoice in their share; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs.

— Isaiah 61:7

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

— Matthew 19:26

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

Many things are upside down in this fallen world. Bold, brash, and superficial people receive accolades while quiet, humble, and sincere servants go unnoticed. The poor suffer and the rich prosper. The proud and powerful prey on the weak and vulnerable. Lies parade as truth. We grow perhaps a little wiser as our bodies grow weaker. How can God’s people find hope to navigate a world where brute force seems to matter more than godly character? Let’s not be disappointed yet because our God specializes in reversing seemingly irrevocable damage and righting what is wrong.

God’s power to overturn everything that interferes with His perfect purposes is revealed in His words. God foils wicked man’s plot and exposed his evil. God preserves His people and promises with His mighty arm. God will eventually overturn everything that opposes Him. Neither Satan’s wretched plans nor sin’s deceptive stranglehold could stop God’s grace and compassion for wretched sinners. God reverses sin’s deadly edict over sinners like us. He sent the Holy Spirit to enlighten and soften sinners’ hearts. But more amazingly, He sent His Son to bear sin’s curse and save us, His people, from eternal disaster.