by David Brenneman
"In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 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. 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." Romans 8:26-28.
It is probably a very few amount of people who admit or acknowledge what Paul begins saying here. That we don't know how to pray as we should...that we're in need of the Spirit to intercede for us...Lord knows that I do!
Do you really consider the absolute truth that in every way possible that the Lord Jesus searches your heart? Can you wrap your mind around what that really looks like?
The Spirit intercedes for us according to the will of God. Not according to our will but that of the Father’s will for us.
An when rightfully considered...seen from His vantage point...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.
We have a purpose under Heaven in God's plan for humanity. Think on that for a moment. It's quite possible for the significance of what Jesus, the Father, has in mind for you to be doing as an obedient follower of Christ that it could impact the world.
Your obedience in even what appears to be the most obscure thing could alter the lives of people to lead them to that great salvation you found in Christ yourself.
Our personal comfort isn't a priority in God's economy. While at times it is there, it's not a given. We're going to have tribulations in this world. Jesus said so. He followed that up with telling us to be of good cheer for He has overcome the world.
I have run across several vastly different videos of scenes where people are playing some form of chess. In these scenes people are seeing ahead to moves to make or are surprising others by their ingenuity of what they were doing to win.
No matter who plays chess with God, who will win? Obviously God will.
Step into what originally was a prop story idea that became an actual game...3 dimensional chess. If God were playing that with anyone...who would win? The right answer of course is still God.
Now consider the world and all who are in it. The good, the bad and all in-between. God knows every possible move by every possible person at all times, in all ways, and is directing all these towards His purpose. That being the completion of His Bride the Church.
Our perceptions on life can cause us to lean towards a selfish lifestyle. Not considering our role in this life with regards to God's plan for us. We neglect to make living for Jesus a higher priority than all else.
The Spirit is to be the Helper. Another of like kind to our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. He's to teach us all things. Bringing to remembrance all that Jesus taught. To that end that we become more like Christ, not that we necessarily get everything we desire from the world in which we live.
Consider all that this passage is talking about...because it too is about you and your relationship with Jesus. Your part of God's plan and purpose for each of us in this world.
What God might have us do might not look like anything we think success and happiness looks like. But in the end it will mean more than we ever thought it would.
Do you want what God wants for you? Honestly? Do you?
It may mean a life that is different than yours is right now. It may also be like what it is right now.
The importance should be on us being lead by the Spirit, in obedience, regardless of our feelings on it. To follow in Isaiah's footsteps with "here am I, send me!".
Letting go of things isn't necessary a bad thing for us when we consider how much more we will be doing for Jesus. Our goal and purpose in this life is to one day hear "Well done!" from Jesus is it not? Not "Did you have fun? Did you enjoy yourself? It wasn't too bad for you was it?".
The thing is...we won't know what we could and will get out of a life of obedience to God's will for us until we do it.
Jesus said His sheep hear His voice. Learning to listen for His voice is very important in going towards that "Well done".
Pray with a sincere heart. Even if it means opening in prayer and saying nothing because the words won't come. Let the Spirit intercede on your behalf. Don't make up sentences that you really don't mean.
God has your back. He does keep you in mind at all times. He knows every possibility that every possible choice in your life will result in. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you. As Spurgeon said what good is it to see, read, and know about the promises of God if we don't ask for them, don't make them ours? Don't ask God to apply them to our situation?
There were times in my past where I wondered what kind of person I would be had I been born differently. Had I been more ambitious. Had I taken greater risks. Striven to greater success in the world. My conclusion on this end of my life in looking back...is that I would have been a very empty individual. I never would have known the power of God in Christ Jesus in my life.
God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, and are called according to His purpose. We who are in Christ are the called. We have His purpose for our lives before us.
His thoughts on what is good are much higher than our own.
Living for Jesus a life that is true. Striving to please Him in all that I do. Yielding allegiance glad-hearted and free. This is the pathway of blessing for me.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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