The Great Eight - Pt 18

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).

Let me begin to close our look at these verses before we move on to the remainder of the Great Eight by suggesting at least five ways you can be encouraged by this text if you trust Christ and groan in your heart for his name to be exalted in your life. First, be encouraged that you are not expected to know the will of God in every respect. Yes his revealed will for you is always faith and hope and love and purity. But whether to trust him to deliver from sickness or hardship or prison, or whether to trust him to help you die, you do not always know. And this text says it's OK not to know. There is one who knows. And he is praying the way one ought to pray who knows. Don't add to your burdens the worry that you don't know all the will of God. Second, be encouraged that in your perplexity and groaning you are not being watched, you are being understood. God is searching your heart, and he is finding a meaning deeper than words. Third, be encouraged that God's work for you is not limited to what you can understand and express with words. Be glad that God is able to do exceedingly above all that you ask or think (cf. Ephesians 3:20). Your thinking, especially in times of stress and groaning, is not the limit of God's acting. God is not limited by your limited mind. Fourth, be encouraged that in your weakness and sickness and loss and hardship and danger the Spirit of God is praying for you and not against you. In verse 31 we will hear Paul exult: "If God is for us, who is against us?" And here we see part of that great "for us" in verse 26. The Spirit intercedes FOR us, not against us. Be encouraged that as you cling to Christ and groan for his exaltation in your uncertainty and pain, the Spirit is for you and not against you. Fifth, be encouraged that God the Father hears the prayer of the Spirit. This prayer is for you. And it is always heard! Always answered! God does not reject this prayer in any means. Regardless of the magnitude of the decision you are facing, the challenge before you, or the hardship you are experiencing God, Himself, is even making intercession on your behalf for you good. Be wise; but be daring!