Romans 8:26-27

Passage

And likewise the Spirit also joins in helping with our weakness.  For the thing which we should pray as it is necessary we have not known.  But the same Spirit intercedes for us with groaning that cannot be expressed by words.  And the one who investigates hearts has known the mindset of the Spirit, which according to God He intercedes on behalf of the holy ones.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Having shown what it feels like for us to have mercy upon creation that looks to our redemption for hope of its own, Paul reminds us that we are in the same situation.  We are no different than creation.  It cannot save itself; we cannot save ourselves.  God comes to us and joins in our weakness.  God knows our weakness and comes anyway.  In fact, the greatness of God is that He doesn’t come beside us in the midst of our strength but in the midst of our weakness!  He comes when we are weak and intercedes for us when we need Him most.

How great is God?  How unlike God are we naturally?  How can this trait of God inspire your life?

Second Thought:

The truth is that we don’t even know for what we should pray.  We only know because the Spirit comes along beside us and prompts us, praying for us with such passion that it cannot be put into words.  Even when we pray, it is because the Spirit is already right there beside us leading the way.  This brings us to a theme of the New Testament, which is that all good things come from God.  Therefore, even the things that we do that are good have their origin in the Spirit’s prompting and equipping.

How does this passage show us the depth of God’s embrace?  If God truly does go before us and equip us, how can this help us step forward in confidence?

Third Thought:

Paul ends this section with the reminder that God searches our hearts and that God sent the Holy Spirit to intercede for the Holy Ones.  Remember the correct definition for the word holy: separate.  God’s Spirit intercedes for those who are separate from the world.  God’s Spirit intercedes for those who distance themselves from the ways of the world.  God knows our heart, and He knows who among us wish to leave the world behind us as we become more like Him.  He knows which of us are holy – not self-righteous, but separate.

Are you separate from this world?  Where are you successful in being separate, or holy?  Where are you unsuccessful at being separate?

Passage for Tomorrow: Romans 8:28-30