A recent podcast from CCEF
talked about dealing with discouragement. I appreciated it in part because they
never said “Discouragement is unbiblical, so just get over it!” Instead, they
spoke about it as a normal part of the Christian life in a broken world. In
particular, I was encouraged by the observation that was made by Gunner Gundersen:
“I love how in Romans 8 you have the creation that is groaning in verse 22, and then in verse 23 you have, ‘we who have the first fruits of the Spirit are groaning inwardly’ for our final redemption. And then near the end, this is what’s shocking to me in verse 26, ‘the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.’ And that shared groaning, as the Spirit is interceding for us and pleading for all things to be made new finally, including us.”
In other words, groaning is normal and can even be a
spiritual exercise. Now not every groan is good. Sometimes our groaning turns into
grumbling. And just groaning to ourselves or to others may not necessarily be
helpful. But if our groans turn us to God and His Word, then there is profit there.
The things in this world that cause us to groan can be reminders to us that
this world is not how it was intended to be, and one day the world and the children
of God will be made new again.
The ESV Bible uses variations of the word groaning 40 times. The first appears in
Exodus 2:23-24:
“During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.”
God had never forgotten the people of Israel. Verse 25 says,
“God saw the people of Israel—and God knew.” He knew exactly what was happening
to them, but He also knew what He was about to do to reveal His power to the
world and to send them on their way to the Promised Land. God has not forgotten
us either. He hears each groan and collects each tear that falls. The Holy Spirit
groans along with us as He intercedes for our endurance, encouragement, and
eventual deliverance from the brokenness of this world.
As we groan, we don’t know what God may be planning to do in
the near future. There may be some display of His power in delivering the persecuted,
or freeing those bound in sin. There could be evidence of His healing the sick
in miraculous ways. Or it may be in the less visible—but no less important—sustaining
power in the lives of those who are weak and weary.
I’m reminded of Joni Eareckson Tada and the decades that she
has spent in a wheelchair. She has undoubtedly uttered many groans, but God
continues to use her testimony to encourage people around the world. I think of
many other people who may not be world famous, but they are known by their
communities as those who are continuing to endure the thorns and thistles of
this life even as they long for God to bring the final victory over sin, suffering,
sorrow, and the grave.
I too groan and wonder what God is waiting for, but I take
heart in knowing that I’m not alone. Not only are there many people in the same
boat, but the Holy Spirit comes alongside us, Jesus Christ experienced the same
weaknesses and suffered even to the point of death on a cross, and God the
Father hears each cry and already has plans for redeeming the suffering of His
saints. With the Holy Trinity on our side, we can endure a while longer,
knowing that there is mercy and grace to help us in our time of need (Heb.
4:16).
“Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning. Give
attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray... But
let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread Your
protection over them, that those who love Your name may exult in You” (Psalm
5:1-2, 11).
***
See also these songs of lament:
How Long, O Lord? by Jordan Kauflin
How Long, O Lord, How Long? by Sovereign Grace Music
© 2025 Dawn Rutan. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture are ESV and all images copyright free from pixabay.com. The opinions stated do not necessarily reflect the views of my church or employer.
