Seventh-Day Adventist Devotional For Children: “Pangs Of Childbirth”

DAILY BREAD: A DEVOTIONAL FOR THE CHILDREN

Eastern Nigeria Union Conference Children’s Ministries Department

Monday, May 1, 2023

Topic: Pangs of childbirth

For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now. Not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits—we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:22-23)

God created a paradise and sin ruined it. Fortunately for us that is not the end of the story, creation is longing to be restored to the state it was created to be in, based on the promise of God. This promise was fulfilled in Jesus and Paul describes the physical fulfillment of this promise as something creation is in anticipation for. He likens this waiting period to the labor pains of childbirth. The process might be hard and might take awhile but once started there is no way to stop it. And the end result makes the whole thing worth it.
The illustration of childbirth to illuminate this very truth and to help us understand that just because we cannot see it, doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened yet. Pregnancy is a sign that something already took place. When a child is conceived the evidence of this isn’t apparent for a time, even to the women. A women doesn’t become pregnant when there is evidence to support that she is bearing a child, a women becomes pregnant at conception of this child. This illustration helps us to understand that the physical evidence always follows the act. The spiritual always births the physical. Creations redemption is already complete in the spiritual realm and now it is experiencing the labor pains that have started announcing the physical manifestation of this.
The Holy Spirit is the first fruits of your eternal life. As a farmer tastes the first of the crop to see what the entire harvest will be like, the Holy Spirit gives us a taste of what our life with God will be like in eternity. The fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control are spiritual characteristics that will grow within us to full measure. The spiritual gifts we have are only the start of greater gifts to come. The Holy Spirit is a deposit that guarantees a full payment yet to come
The amazing thing about labor and childbirth is that afterward comes fullness of joy. The pains and hardship experienced are quickly forgotten once a baby is held in arms. Countless women cannot recall any details of their labor because the joy of motherhood is so great. Knowing what this type of suffering produces gives courage to all to endure it. The same is true with creation. Expectation of being restored to a perfect sinless existence is enough to endure hardship right now. Creation is waiting in anticipation for it’s final redemption because it knows the One who promised is faithful.

Thought for Reflection
The gift of the Spirit creates a deep yearning for the fullness we enjoy. As time progresses, we groan inwardly for our greater reward. With each passing day, we see how corrupt the world is, and we want out. We also consider our besetting sins with greater intolerance, and we want to be free from them. God understands our groaning and gives us the gifts of patience and hope to see us through.

Song
Face to face with Christ my Savior,
Face to face, what will it be,
When with rapture I behold Him,
Jesus Christ, who died for me?

Refrain
Face to face shall I behold Him,
Far beyond the starry sky;
Face to face in all His glory
I shall see Him by and by!

Prayer :
Lord, hear my groaning. Stir up within me a deep longing for eternal life with you. Remind me that I am but an exile passing through this world as I journey to my eternal home. Grant me the patience I need to endure. Give me the gift of hope by which I can set my sight on the goal of my faith, the eternal dwelling you have prepared for those that love and obey you in Jesus name, amen