Romans 8:26-28 - In the same way, the
Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but
the Spirit himself
intercedes for us through
wordless groans. And he
who searches our hearts knows
the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the
will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the
good of
those who love him, who[i] have
been called according
to his purpose.
Paul takes a lot of time in Romans to help
explain the nature of sin and the power it could have if we let it have control
of our lives. Then he takes a few moments to remind us that once we accept
Jesus as our savior…..once we trust in his promises….he sends to us the Holy
Spirit as a comforter…a guide…a prayer warrior.
It is one of my favorite
promises of God. God knew that there
would be times when our physical bodies would be so over whelmed that He let
one of the job descriptions of the Holy Spirit be interceder. Even when we have
no clue what to do or how to pray for help…the Holy Spirit is lifting up
exactly what we need to God….taking up where our weaknesses begin to cut us off
from God’s help.
I am reminded that we have
to remember that the Holy Spirit already knows God’s perfect will for our
lives. His prayers on our behalf are always in accordance with that perfect
will. They are to bring about God’s purpose here on earth...not always to bring
us immediate happiness. They are for the good of all that Love God…not just the
good of my individual relationship with Him.
I admit that I wish I could
hear those prayers out loud….instead of the wordless groans Paul describes here.
Perhaps if I could hear the prayers the Holy Spirit lifts on my behalf…I might
understand God’s will for me…I might understand more easily how my life and
task for God fits into the big picture that involves all Christians. It seems
the older I get…the more I learn about my God…the more of a Thomas I become. I think
I need way more tangible evidence than God sometimes gives me.
I needed the reminder that
God gave me the Holy Spirit to help me through the hard times when we can’t see
what’s coming around the corner. I have
an unseen helper that takes over for me when I think I am too weak to continue.
I have a surrogate…that does for me what I can’t sometimes do for myself. Perhaps that is why God doesn’t give up on us…but
chases after us when we get off track.
Father…thank you for the
reminder that you gave me the Holy Spirit when I put my life in your hands.
Forgive me for the times that I forget that the Holy Spirit is building me up
through constant intercession with you…and even though I am not allowed to hear
the words He lifts on my behalf… I can always be encouraged that they are for
the good of all Christians…and fully within your will. Help me to call on this powerful prayer
warrior more often…so I can feel His power wash over me in the times that I
feel lost or clueless about what you would have me to do. Amen.
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