Daily Devotions

Filled with the Holy Spirit

Filled with the Holy Spirit 
Day 
Day 109

"Creation was subjected to futility..."

Text: Romans 8:20

TWO LITTLE-KNOWN TRUTHS

There are some truths of the Scriptures that are well-known. There are other truths that we may not be as familiar with. The following text is one that contains two little-known truths.

“For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly,
but because of Him who subjected it in hope.”
Romans 8:20

1. “Creation”

a) This is a general reference to all of creation.
b) The earth, life in all forms.

2. “Was subjected to futility”

a) The word “futility” suggests:
i) Worthlessness
ii) Uselessness
iii) Frustration
b) This element of “futility” was felt by Solomon, the author of Ecclesiastes.
i) No matter what is achieved in life there is a feeling of “vanity”.
ii) Death seems so final and this affects everything we feel and do.

3. “Not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope”

a) The Lord Himself was the One who factored in this sense of “futility”.
b) He does not do this willingly but of necessity.
c) All creation is subjected to another principle called “hope”.
d) The balance must be struck.
i) On the one hand “futility”.
ii) On the other hand, “hope”.

OUR STRUGGLES IN LIFE

These are two little-known truths that we must seek to grapple with. How may we overcome this sense of futility?

1. We learn to have faith in God.

2. And with this genuine and living faith we learn how to exercise hope in God.

3. We also learn how to fear God and to subject ourselves to His Divine decree.

These two little-known truths humble us to consider the fact that we are but mere mortals!