For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope… (Rom 8:20 NIV)

As long as this world stands it is subjected to frustration, because the creator has made it share the lot of humankind. Although forms and patterns in nature are beautiful and exquisite – even beyond measuring out – yet all of that is temporal and passing away. A frustrating vanity clothes all of creation in this world. Plus people take created things and subject them to their own conceit.  All of creation is doomed to serve the foolish, trivial and conceited whims of those fallen masters of the universe. Creation does not do this lightly, yet it is forced into this servitude by the creator of all. Even if this now the sorry state of creation, this is to be but a temporary bondage and oppression. On the contrary. The suffering of all creation is passing away and will make way for a glory that is by far greater than the present one as it will demonstrate the triumph of not only the creator, but also its savior and liberator. That is why the apostle describes the present subjugation to frustration as one of hope. There will come a time, when the new creation will be indestructible and a part of the eternal heaven and everlasting earth. Yes, there is no doubt about this, our future is marvelous, exciting and very, very inviting for sure!

O Lord, we are waiting for your kingdom and eternal reign to become visible for all of us. We are waiting for the new heaven and the new earth in with righteousness dwell and we will serve you with all saints in perfect bliss and joyful fulfillment. We are waiting for that future city in which there will be sorrow, no crying, no pain and even death will have been swallowed by Christ’s glorious victory. Lord, come and end all injustice and sinfulness, all violence and calamity, all suffering, death and dying. Strengthen our faith in your coming kingdom and grant living faith to those faithless and desperate. Magnify your hope in our hearts, which are often tempted to give up – despairing, tired, hopeless. Vitalize your love in our midst and in our lives, so that we might encourage, support, help and strengthen each other along the way. Lord, grant that we may prepare your way in our lives and let your kingdom come to us also. Amen. (Church book of Mecklenburg-Schwerin 1927)

What words will fathom our blissful joy, when God’s presence immerses our holy throng in purest light and we worship him the Father, Son and Holy Ghost – one God over all and in all forever and ever? (Heinrich Theobald Schenk 1656-1727)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Wednesday after the fourth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 246 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.