DATE POSTED: Wednesday, October 21, 2026, and I was blessed to be at Palace View, Branson, MO when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. Please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org to find and read all episodes shared over the years.
SCRIPTURE: Romans 8:23-25 ~ 23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. 24 We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. 25 But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)
DEVOTIONAL: Believers possess something the world, apart from Christ, can never understand. We have been given the Holy Spirit as a foretaste of the glory that awaits us. Yet while we remain on this earth, we still experience the effects of living in a fallen world. Sin surrounds us, suffering troubles us, and our bodies grow weary. Because of this, Paul says that we groan within ourselves as we eagerly await the fulfillment of God’s promises.
This groaning is not a cry of hopelessness. Rather, it is a deep earnest longing of redeemed people who know there is something far better ahead. It is not a complaint; it is the holy yearning of children longing for the physical presence of their Heavenly Father. Deep within every believer is a longing for the day when sin will no longer tempt us, suffering will no longer burden us, and we will stand in the presence of our Savior!
When sharing the gospel, I am often met with the question: “Saved from what?”
Romans 8 helps answer that question. Through faith in Christ, we are saved from sin’s penalty, and one day we will be delivered completely from sin’s presence. Though we have already been adopted into God’s family, we still await the reality of all that God has promised His children, including our new glorified bodies He has prepared for us.
Unfortunately, this future hope does not lessen our present difficulties. Christians still experience pain, disappointment, sickness, and loss. Yet we endure these things differently because our hope rests not in this world but in the promises of God. What awaits us is beyond anything we could imagine. We will see Jesus face-to-face. We will worship the One who created all things. We will forever enjoy the presence of the King of kings and Lord of lords. While we are already God’s children through faith, we eagerly await the day when our adoption is fully realized—when every promise of our heavenly inheritance is brought to completion.
For this reason, believers are repeatedly called to patience and perseverance. Hope is not wishful thinking. Biblical hope is confident expectation based upon the promises of God. Paul reminds us that if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently and confidently. Every day that passes brings us one day closer to the fulfillment of all God has promised.
A Personal Note for Seekers:
If you do not yet know Christ, my earnest prayer today is that your eyes are opened to God’s immense goodness and grace. Jesus willingly gave His life so that you might be forgiven and reconciled to God. He loves you more than you can imagine and invites you to place your faith in Him. Jesus loves you just as much as any pastor, evangelist, or believer you will ever meet, and He stands ready to welcome you.
Scripture reminds us that tomorrow is never guaranteed. Today can be your day of salvation if you will trust in Christ and receive the gift of eternal life.
TODAY’S CHALLENGE: For the believer living in anticipation of the return of Christ, let me encourage you to seek and acknowledge the Lord each and every day. May today be the day that you are overfilled with the goodness of God and share that good news with a friend seeking more out of life. For those who might read this devotional and want to know my Jesus personally, please refer to the Book intentionally left by God for this purpose. An excellent reference for you to discover and meditate on is Romans 10:9-10. However, if totally unfamiliar with the Bible, please email me, or get with a trusted Bible teaching pastor or friend. And we will gladly help you in this most important decision of your life.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit, who gives us a foretaste of the glory to come. Grant us the patience and endurance we need as we navigate the hardships of this present world. Teach us to wait patiently and confidently for the day when we will see You face-to-face. Strengthen our faith, deepen our hope, and help us remain faithful until that glorious day arrives. Keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and our hearts anchored in the confident hope of Your promises. Fill us with Your love today, and give us bold, gentle opportunities to share Your gospel with those who need Your salvation. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen
Next Steps & Resources
- Taking a Step of Faith? If today’s devotional prompted a decision in your heart, visit the To Know Jesus page, speak with a local Bible-teaching pastor, or reach out to me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I pray you find help and encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Christ.
- Explore & Subscribe: Browse past devotionals or sign up for daily email updates at NuggetsFromGodsWord.org.
- Find Community: I warmly encourage you to join a local Bible-teaching church. Gathering with fellow believers is essential for growing in faith, finding encouragement, and serving others as God works through His church.
