©Michael Player
Chapter 8:26-30 (ESV) - Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Question to consider: What is God’s purpose for us according to this passage?
There are some who despise the notion of written prayers and sermons as if the Holy Spirit only speaks extemporaneously. The Holy Spirit works in the heart of the speaker and hearer regardless of the means, and more importantly, He intercedes for us with God because frankly, even our best attempts at prayer are tainted by sin.
We know what we would like to happen based on our limited view of time and circumstances, but the Holy Spirit understands our true and deepest desires and how they align with the will of God for the world. The best frame of reference I can think of is that of a parent dealing with the requests of a toddler. A toddler knows what he wants to fulfill an immediate desire and will ask for (or demand) it with enthusiastic babbling. The toddler is not capable of understanding foresight, nuance, sacrifice, or patience, and we are not capable of seeing the impact of our requests on the rest of creation over the course of all time.
Paul gives us the assurance that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us according to God’s will, and that God’s will works out all things for good. Just as Christ looked back on His suffering and considered it all worth it for the sake of our salvation, so we will one day look back on God’s answer to our prayers and rejoice that He acted in the manner He did— even though it may have involved our suffering. Why? Because in the end God will have conformed us to the image of Christ!
The ultimate goal is that His Son will have many brothers (and sisters). The apostle Peter mentioned in his second epistle that God is “not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) It is the heart of God to save as many people as possible. Unfortunately, because sin entered the world, there is no logical set of circumstances that can occur for everyone to come to repentance. The circumstances that bring some to faith will cause others to reject it. The cross of Christ is the winnowing fork that separates the wheat from the chaff through the events of this world.
In case we think that God is not working to bring many to Christ, Paul emphasized this idea by pointing out His work in our glorification. God predestined us. God called us. God justified us, and God will ultimately glorify us.
Dear heavenly Father, thank You for allowing the circumstances to happen in our lives in order that we may be one of Christ’s many brothers and sisters. Help us to view all things through that lens, especially in the midst of difficult times when it feels like our prayers are not being answered the way we wish them to be. We are grateful for Your Holy Spirit who understands Your will and faithfully and appropriately intercedes for us. Amen.