Verse of the Day 8/12

Through the Bible -- Psalms 99-101, Romans 14

 

Good morning,

A verse that I had memorized as a child and one that was quoted to me several times during my "dark night of the soul" was Romans 8:28.

Rom 8:28And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.   NKJV
It was quoted to bring comfort or perhaps to say that there was a reason for what had taken place.  I've admitted before that it didn't bring comfort or peace for me in that time and that I wouldn't recommend that it be quoted "flippantly" to others who are in the midst of suffering.

That being said, it is a verse to be treasured, it is a biblical truth, but one that perhaps requires time, trust, and faith to comprehend.

This verse is often "lifted" out of the context of the passage.  For today's verse we'll go to the preceding verses in chapter 8.

Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.   NKJV

 Bible commentator James Dunn gives some perspective on these verses. "In this situation the Spirit comes to our aid-not as an intercessor on high, remote from us (cf. Rom. 8:34); not with intimations of God's will, so that we can actually pray in meaningful words; not in inspired speech whose beauty or quality clearly demonstrates that it is not of ourselves; but in 'wordless groans'! The climax of Paul's exposition of the work of the Spirit in the believer is not the power of the Spirit nullifying the weakness of the flesh (Rom. 8: 2-4), not the assurance of the Spirit crying 'Abba Father' (Rom. 8:15-16), not even the groaning in sympathy with the creation (Rom. 8:23), but the wordless groans of human inability to know what to say before God."

The faith which hopes through and in the deepest suffering and frustration is a faith in God as being faithful and reliable in his gracious concern for human flourishing. The believers who can remain confident that the inadequacy of their wordless groans is a mark of their acceptability to God can also be confident that nothing that happens to them is outside the will of God and that everything works together for their good in fashioning them to be more the people of his calling (Rom. 8:28)."

 

I've known many people, including pastors, who've gone through times when they couldn't find the words to express the words and emotions of their hearts to God in the most difficult times of loss and grief.  But God hears the groans of the breaking hearts of His children and works in their hearts, in their innermost being, "fashioning them" to be the people of His calling, in and through these trials.

 

I had not thought of these verses as the "climax" of Paul's exposition here. But now, looking back in my life, through my dark night, I can see where James Dunn is coming from.

 

If you are in such a time right now.  Know that even if you cannot express the words, that God hears your heart.  He will also heal your heart.

Blessings,
Mike

mikevw@bellsouth.net
mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Rom 8:22-28

22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.

23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?

25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.   NKJV