Verse of the Day 12/18

Verse of the Day 12/18

Romans 8:26-27

New International Version

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God.

Today's passage in one of my favorite, if not the favorite passage in the Bible.  Today's verses speak of prayer and encourages us to go ahead and pray even if we don't have the words to say. Confess that you know that He knows your heart and what you need no matter what the situation that brings you to your knees in your need.

Arthur Pink writes, "

"Often, we find ourselves overwhelmed--our thoughts confused, our emotions storm-tossed, our words failing in prayer. Yet even in these frail moments, the believer is not alone. For within him dwells the Spirit of God, the divine Helper, who prays with and for him.

In this verse, we see the intercessory ministry of the Holy Spirit, so often overlooked, yet profoundly necessary. The Spirit does not merely assist us when we are strong; He helps us in our "weakness". He comes alongside us when we do not know what to say. When the burden is too deep for words, when the pain is beyond expression, He intercedes with groanings that reach the heart of the Father. These are not groans of despair, but of holy longing, divinely wrought desires for the will of God, rising from within the soul.

The Spirit's intercession is continual and unceasing. It is perfectly aligned with God's will. Unlike our prayers--so often mixed with selfishness or ignorance--His groanings are pure and effective. The Father, who searches hearts, hears not merely the faltering words of His children, but the Spirit's cry within them. And because the Spirit is God, His intercession always prevails.

What comfort this brings to the struggling saint! Prayer is not a performance to be perfected, but a dependence to be expressed. Even when we cannot articulate our need, the indwelling Spirit lifts our cries heavenward. We may feel that our prayers are weak, but they are carried by One who cannot fail. Though we stumble in the darkness, the Spirit groans with us, guiding our souls before the throne of grace."

Think of the line from the paragraph above for a moment. "prayer is not a performance to be perfected, but a dependence to be expressed." It is opening ourselves up to God admitting I can't do this on my own, I need you, in fact I'm desparate for you. Now think about this, "the Spirit's intercession is continual and unceasing". He's got you covered.

This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me
This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very word spoken to me

[Chorus]
And I... I... I-I-I, I'm desperate for You
And I... I... I-I-I, I'm lost without You
And I... I... I-I-I, I'm desperate for You
And I... I... I-I-I, I'm lost without You.    (Michael W. Smith - Breathe)

We need HIm like we need air to breathe. Open up your heart to Hiim.

Blessings,

Mike

Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

Romans 8:18-30

New International Version

Present Suffering and Future Glory

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that[a] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[b] have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.