8 DAYS TO PENTECOST

8 DAYS TO PENTECOST

TEXT:  ROMANS 8:16

²⁶ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

²⁷ And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

KEY TEXT: Romans 8:26 “…The Spirit also helpeth our infirmities…”

REFLECTION: 

The Apostle counts himself among those with “infirmities.”  I like that. Our Scriptures are the unvarnished truth about God and His dealings with people who are like us. 

The circumstances of life mystified the Apostle.  He confessed, “Now we see through a glass darkly.”  There were so many things he didn’t understand. His understanding was imperfect.  Ours is too.

Physically Paul endured a “thorn in the flesh.”  Some believe he was nearly blind.  He certainly suffered.  He asked the Lord to remove his thorn in the flesh on three occasions. He keenly felt the limitations of his physical strength. So do we.

Even the Great Apostle Paul admitted that he was ““troubled,” perplexed,” and even “cast down” at times. (2 Corinthians 4:8)  We have all felt like that.

Yet the Apostle testified, “The Spirit helps our infirmities.”  (Romans 8:26).   A closer look at the term we translate “helps,” reveals that the Spirit literally “bears the load with us.”  When we pray the Spirit joins in lifting the weight of our infirmities.

Shortly before the crucifixion Jesus promised that He would send another “Comforter,”--literally another “Helper.” (John 14:26).  The Apostle Paul confirmed what the Spirit-filled know: Jesus kept His promise! He always does.

Joseph Scriven was right: 

O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear, 

All because we do not carry 

Everything to God in prayer.

The prayer-less are help-less. 

And what of those who want to pray, who strive to pray, but they don’t know how to pray?  Their infirmities are so heavy, their circumstances are so perplexing that they cannot even form the words to make their requests known to God.  The Spirit, our unfailing Helper, makes intercession for us with words that cannot even be spoken.”He makes intercession for the saints!”

Be assured that it is not fluency but fervency that is essential to effectual prayer. From the vantage point of heaven, the greatest prayers may never be voiced.  They rise from the Spirit-led heart.  And yet God understands.  How encouraging!

PRAYER: Our Father in Heaven, The knowledge that you know our needs is such a great comfort.  The assurance that when we are so completely overwhelmed that we can’t express our needs, your Spirit will intercede in our behalf is such an encouragement. Grant that we would not only appreciate our great Helper, but that we would depend on our Helper—thy Holy Spirit in a greater measure than ever before. May the Presence of Pentecost be real in our hearts and lives today. In the strong name of Jesus, whose blood purchased all this for us, we pray, Amen. “Our Father, &c.”