THE HOLY SPIRIT, OUR INTERCESSOR (PART 1).
TEXT:
"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." (Romans 8 verse 26, King James Version).
Truth is, our Christian walk is not an easy one! It's not right to pretend that it is when we know that it's not. The Lord Himself knows that it's not going to be an easy ride for us. Let's not forget that His reward is for those that “overcometh” (see Revelation 2 verses 7,11,17,26; 3 verses 5,12 and 21).
I can remember when the Lord called me into ministry. He wanted to hear if I would say yes or no to His proposal. He had asked me not to be hasty to give Him my answer, but to think and ponder deeply on it before doing so. The reason He gave me this advice was that should I respond positively to His calling upon my life, it was going to change me drastically; and it has been so! Glory to God!
The principal reason for our turbulent Christian experience is because of the existence of the adversary, satan the devil. He is an offence to us; for according to the Lord Jesus, he does not savour the things that are of God, which things, by our calling, have become matters of utmost concern to us in life as God's Children (see Matthew 16 verse 23 and Mark 8 verse 33).
But God, in His Omniscience, has not left us like "candles in the wind". The Lord Jesus had promised not to leave us comfortless, without help (John 14 verses 16 to 18). Therefore, He's sent to us His Spirit to help us and according to the Scripture reading for today, He intercedes for us at moments when things get difficult; particularly when we do not know "what we should pray for as we ought"
It is worthy of note that the Spirit's intercession for us, according to the Scripture reading for today concerns our infirmities, especially those that relate to our hope as believers (see Romans 8 verses 24 to 25). Let's not forget that we're saved by hope (Romans 8 verse 24). Knowing that the majority of God's promises to us are to be fulfilled in the future, for which we hope; we wait patiently for their fulfillment. Romans 8 verse 25 reminds us saying, “But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.”
This is where many of us fail as Christians, "For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise" (Hebrews 10 verse 36). As believers, we must exhibit patience because it's an indispensable character that must be part of us if we are to inherit God's promises. For instance, there are going to be times in your life when you might be tempted to feel that God has delayed in fulfilling His Word to you. At such moments, without patience, you are very likely to renege on your faith on account of tribulations, trials and temptations. This is because once the Christian doesn't see God's promises fulfilled for him as soon as he'd hoped, he's likely to lose patience and be offended in Christ.
This is when, according to our Scripture reading for today, the Spirit's intercession becomes necessary. By the Spirit's intercession, the child of God is sustained and kept in faith while he waits for the fulfillment of God's promises, besides the barrage of fiery darts hurled at him by satan, the adversary (see Ephesians 6 verse 16). But how does the Holy Spirit do this? According to our Scripture reading for today, He makes such intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered in articulate speech.
This is not to say that He's going to do it apart from you. If that's so, that would make the Holy Spirit responsible for your prayer life, and He isn't. We all are responsible for our prayer life. Notice that this verse says that He "helpeth." He isn't sent to do your praying for you. He is sent to help you in every aspect of your life, and especially your prayer life. Much as this is a privilege, it's equally important that as Christians, we get filled with the Holy Spirit. This is the first step towards having Him for our Helper; and particularly having Him to make intercession for us as God's Children.
PRAYER:
Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit. He always helps my infirmities by making intercession for me. For this Lord, I'm grateful.