July 30th Weekly Word
That Inner Angst
"We know that the whole creation has been groaning together as it suffers together the pains of labor, and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies." (Romans 8:22-23)
"But at my vindication I shall see your face;
when I awake, I shall be satisfied, beholding
your likeness." (Psalm 17:16)
Do you ever experience an inner angst about the world? Maybe that's a silly question. I'm sure we all do to some degree. And if not about the world, then about our circumstances, relationships, our family, or even the struggles within.
Now in the midst of this, of course, we can take heart because the truth is that God is leading us in the way of peace, righteousness, reconciliation, and restoration.
But here's the thing: some degree of that inner angst will always be with us on this side of eternity. I talked about that a bit last week, sharing from Romans 8 during the sermon.
Paul makes clear that until the redemption of our bodies, we are groaning for things to be made right. We have a taste of it right now for sure — the first fruits of the Spirit, as Paul says, working redemption and restoration in our hearts. Still, we all know that the inner angst remains.
But the two passage above quite clearly communicate that there's a purpose for this turmoil within. Psalm 17 gives us an indication of what that purpose is when David speaks of being satisfied beholding God's likeness.
Friends, we were made to know God, to be in his presence, to see him, to walk with him "in the cool of day" as Genesis suggests Adam and Eve did in the Garden. And we do that and know him to some degree here and now. That's what we should long for more than anything else because that is where we find satisfaction.
However, we won't know anything like complete satisfaction until we awake one day on the other side and see his face. This is the "beatific vision" that I've referenced here before. It is the direct, unveiled, unmediated sight of God granted to the redeemed in the fullness of his kingdom. As such, it's the final fulfillment of humanity’s longing for God.
And so the purpose of this inner angst is to never let us be satisfied here and now apart from our ultimate union with God. That will be a reality one day, friends. And as John says in his first epistle, we will see him as he is.
May our hearts long for that day more and more as we pursue him here and now. And may we also long to see others join us in that pursuit.
Darin+