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rebellion and sin. Nature did not choose to

rebel, yet God allowed it to suffer with us. It

can look forward to the restoration of all

things just as we do. Yes, nature itself will
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be delivered from the effects of sin, freed

from decay, to flourish as God’s children will.

22 We know that all creation has been

groaning under the load of sin, suffering like

those in childbirth from the beginning of our

rebellion until now. 23 Not only is nature

groaning, but so are we who have tasted the

firstfruits of the life-changing power of the

Holy Spirit as we wait in hope for the gift of a

new body. Hope is vital for our restoration.
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If God answered all our prayers and gave us

everything we asked for, we would not long

for anything better. If we had everything,

there would be nothing to hope for. But if
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we hope for what we don’t have, it helps us

persevere. In this sense, hope strengthens

our faith in God and our belief in His promise.

26 The Holy Spirit is always ready to help us.

We don’t even know how we should pray or

what we really need, and when we think we

do, we don’t know how to say it right. The