The Great Eight - Pt 17

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27 ESV).

Isn’t taking risk the antithesis of being wise? Yet, God calls us to take risks (cf. Luke 21:16). The real question is which risks do we take? John Bunyan, the pastor who wrote Pilgrim's Progress over 300 years ago stayed in prison for 12 years for conscience sake. He could have gotten out if he had agreed not to preach the gospel. He had a wife and four small children, one of whom was blind. This could not have been an easy decision. He could stay in prison for conscience sake, or get out and take care of his family. I must confess I’m not sure what I would have done in the same circumstance. Yet, we will all face similar decisions, though not all as dangerous. Bunyan wrote a book called Advice to Sufferers. In it he captured the perplexity and uncertainty that we face in danger or in front of a risk for Christ's sake. He asks, "May we try to escape" from the danger? And he answers: Thou mayest do in this as it is in thy heart. If it is in thy heart to fly, fly: if it be in thy heart to stand, stand. Anything but a denial of the truth. He that flies, has warrant to do so; he that stands, has warrant to do so. Yea, the same man may both fly and stand, as the call and working of God with his heart may be. Moses fled (Exodus 2:15); Moses stood (Hebrews 11:27); David fled (1 Samuel 19:12); David stood (1 Samuel 24:8); Jeremiah fled (Jeremiah 37:11-12); Jeremiah stood (Jeremiah 38:17); Christ withdrew himself (Luke 19:10); Christ stood (John 18:1-8); Paul fled (2 Corinthians 11:33); and, Paul stood (Acts 20:22-13). There are few rules in this case. The man himself is best able to judge concerning his present strength, and what weight this or that argument has upon his heart to stand or fly. Do not fly out of a slavish fear, but rather because flying is an ordinance of God, opening a door for the escape of some, which door is opened by God's providence, and the escape countenanced by God's Word (Matthew 10:23). Paul's point is that when you groan with desires that are rooted in bringing glory to God but uncertainty how Christ might best be glorified, the Spirit prays for you and brings it to pass. So, here’s the kernel of truth for you to rest in today. Paul says: "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness." He helps us. Like the little sparrow who is leaping off the ledge in the picture above, we were made to leap into the air. Be wise when you leap, but remember you are born again to do just that. God’s desire and plan for all of us is to bring Him glory. Leave the worry to Him. Take a step off the ledge!