The Spirit Intercedes for those Predestined
Scripture Passage: Romans 8:26-30 (NASB)
26 Now in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
SUMMARY
Paul hits on two major points in this section of Romans 8: that the Spirit intercedes for Christians and that God predestined Christians to be conformed to the image of His son, Jesus Christ.
REFLECTION AND MEDITATION
There are many times I feel like I don’t know what to pray for. I may go through some general prayers like acknowledging God’s presence in my life, confessing my sins, giving thanks, and asking for supplication, but there’s usually a feeling that I’m missing something. And in times of distress and hardship, it can be hard to pray even when I want to.
Thank God that the Spirit intercedes for us, especially in difficult times. I can have hope in that. Paul says “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness”, tying this to the previous verses that talk about the hope that we have as believers. The Spirit will pray for exactly what we need, and the Spirit’s prayers will always be answered with a “yes” because it’s always according to the will of God. That’s a great thing because I know I make many requests to God that aren’t according to His will. The Spirit knows what’s going on in my heart and mind and will pray prayers for my good.
There is something else to hope for. Paul says that the elect are “predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.” If I am one of the elect, then this is something that will definitely, absolutely happen. He’s not saying that they “might be conformed”, or “if they work hard enough, they will be conformed”. There is no doubt about it. The reason why I can hope in this is because as a believer, I’m constantly doubting whether or not I’m actually becoming more and more like Jesus. I’ll have my seasons of hills and valleys, and I’ll have moments where I fall and feel like I’m becoming less like Jesus. But if I am one of those whom God foreknew to believe in Jesus Christ, then I will 100% be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, regardless of my seasons and circumstances. That’s reassuring.
APPLICATION
When I’m in difficult circumstances and feel like I can’t pray, have hope in the fact that the Spirit intercedes for me. Don’t use it as an excuse not to pray, but remember that the Spirit knows exactly what I need.
Remember the grace God has shown me through Jesus Christ and have hope in knowing that I’ll be conformed to his image.
PRAYER
Lord,
Thank you for your love and your Spirit that intercedes for us. I thank you for my seasons of weakness and difficulty because I know that the Spirit intercedes for me in those times and prays for exactly what I need. Thank you for showing your power and love through our weakness. We can have so much hope in you because there is a sureness and completeness in all that you do. Thank you for calling us to you and choosing us by your great mercy and love. I trust that you are continually conforming us to the image of Jesus Christ and sanctifying us day by day. I ask that you would help me and other believers to share this great news with our families, friends, and neighbors in the hope that they are also ones that you’ve called to become conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
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