Coaxing food from the soil is a laborious task. Weather, pests, and crop diseases are challenges. The words of Genesis 3:19 become all too real: “In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground.”

The sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden resulted in the earth being cursed. Everything that troubles our world today—discord, disease, disaster—is evidence of the earth laboring under a curse. The apostle Paul wrote that “the creation was subjected to futility” (Romans 8:20). But there is good news! “The creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God” (verse 21). Though we sometimes “groan within ourselves” (verse 23), we wait “in eager expectation” (verse 19, NIV) for the redemption of all creation.

Whatever toil or trouble you are experiencing today, know that it is only temporary. It will be replaced by the glory of a new heaven and new earth.

[In heaven] we shall not rest from our work but from our labors. There will be no toil, no pain in our work.
Robert Murray M’Cheyne