We live in a world of death and decay.

It has come to dominate our world because of sin. In physics it is described as the second law of Thermodynamics, which is that, as a we all know, things run down.

It can be troubles of all sorts

It can be national troubles when things fall apart. It can be an environment which falls apart, or weather disasters in a fragile climate. God does says He uses such things to work His will.

“10 By the breath of God, ice is given,
And the breadth of the waters is frozen.
11 Yes, he loads the thick cloud with moisture.
He spreads abroad the cloud of his lightning.
12 It is turned round about by his guidance,
That they may do whatever he commands them
On the surface of the habitable world,
13 Whether it is for correction, or for his land,
Or for loving kindness, that he causes it to come.”
Job 37:10-13

These are parts of how God works His will.

“For by these he judges the people.
He gives food in abundance. ”
Job 36:31

Or at other times it may be a fragile social and economic situation. It can be trouble brought on us because of the sins of others, as Aachan’s sins brought trouble on ancient Israel.

“Joshua said, Why have you troubled us? Yahweh shall trouble you this day. All Israel stoned him with stones; and they burned them with fire, and stoned them with stones.”
Josh. 7:25

This was the sins of a single family, but sometimes it can be the sins of a national leader that brings trouble on all.

Paul says all of this is temporary, and that one day
all of this will change.

Paul says that none of these problems are worth comparing with the new universe which is coming, in which righteousness lives.

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us.”
Rom 8:18

He goes on to say that creation itself waits for us to be revealed in our new roles, Rom 8:19. He describes this running down, falling apart characteristic of our sinful present universe, as the creation being “subjected to vanity,” that is, being subjected to futility, uselessness, worthlessness, Rom 8:20. It will not always be this way.

“that the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of decay into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.”
Rom 8:21

We are in the birthing of a new and glorious age, separated from sin and death. There is coming a day when God says, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Rev 21:5b

All of this is of course prophetic.

None of this has happened yet. If we believe this we will “hang in there,” looking forward to the, “new heavens and a new earth, in which dwells righteousness.” 2Pe 3:13.

Believing what God says in prophecy does matter! It is an ethical matter.

Scriptures are from the World English Bible (WEB), a copyright free revision of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901