David Bahn – Reflections

Romans 8:25-39

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. 27 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. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 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. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

What a blessing to know that I have such a powerful and purely good prayer partner! While there are times I do know how to pray, there are plenty of times when I don’t know at all how to pray. When I face a big decision and both paths seem good, I need wisdom, and sometimes truly do not know how to pray. When someone is facing a major challenge with trouble lurking in all directions, I don’t know how to pray.

Imagine,though,  how the Holy Spirit knows how to pray! The Holy Spirit knows all things. The Holy Spirit knows the future, the true motives of people’s hearts, the implications of one path over another, and all this with a kingdom perspective! There is never any duplicity, selfish motive, immature desire, or misunderstanding of the true situation on the part of the Holy Spirit. To know that such a One intercede for us is a true comfort.

Some would make this a matter of prayer language. And I suppose there are times when I have simply sighed my prayers heavenward. But the issue for me here is not whether there is a prayer language (AKA, “speaking in tongues”), but that even when my prayers are little more than signs and groans, the Holy Spirit is taking those sighs and groans and translating them before the throne of God’s grace.

Then comes the great Romans 8:28 promise: “…all things work together for the good of those who love God…” The promise itself is a great one. We can face trouble, setbacks, disappointment, and the worst things in life knowing that God has a plan for our eternal good and blessing. Sometimes we see that in bold relief: because we are delayed we are not involved in a terrible traffic accident. More often it is seen only much later, and through the eyes of faith. God has brought good to me, for which I am deeply thankful.

So when we pray for God’s will to be done, or when we ask the Holy Spirit to intercede for us, and he does so “according to the will of God,” we are destined for a blessing and great good. I’m going to try to keep that in mind today. How about you?