Topsy-Turvy, Nitty-Gritty
“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.” Romans 8:26
How do we calm ourselves when life seems topsy-turvy and we start to lose vision and purpose? Psalm 27:14 gives us some insight into this by instructing us to “Wait on the Lord.” But what does that waiting really look like? If we want to appear spiritual we have a Box of Christian sayings we can pull from that sounds like this: “I know God has all things in control and I am resting in Him.” Or “I know the Lord will never give me more than I can bear.” And while we may say these acceptable phrases, what happens when your heart and mind are not in sync with your words? When you are filled with questions, wondering if God really does care, filled with doubt and burdens that you dare not let others see for fear of reprimand and judgment?
Romans 8:26 is getting to the nitty-gritty of the Christian life. Do we trust the Lord? Yes, as best we can. Do we wait patiently upon His answers? Well, we try. Some of us are more patient than others. Do we rest in Him? Depends on the day, doesn’t it? The Christian life is not easy and our Father in Heaven knows this. He sent His Sprit to intercede for us with “groanings that cannot be expressed with words.” We don’t have to know all the answers or wax eloquent among our Christian brothers and sisters. We simply need to be real. Sometimes groaning is the best prayer you can offer and that is okay. Christ sent His Spirit as our Guide, Comforter and memory meter. “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid” John 14:26-27
The Spirit reminds us that there is a peace that can permeate our thoughts as we face life challenges. When we forget, the Spirit is right beside us saying, “Hang on, I’ve got this!” When you direct your prayers to the Lord you will have times of praise and celebration as well as times where you simply rest in the truth that the Lord can interpret your groaning and heavy heart.
The Lord sees our past, present and future. He knows what was, what is and what will be. He is continually looking out for our good and His Spirit is the assurance that we are never left in a lurch. Our God remains faithful, just as He said. Cling to Numbers 23:19, “God is not human, that He should lie, not a human being, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?” The very God who cannot lie says, “I will never leave you” (Deut 31:8), “I have chosen you” (Isaiah 41:9), “I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28), “I will take delight in and rejoice over you” (Zephaniah 3:17) and “I will wipe away every tear” (Revelation 7:16-17).
“All creation groans” (Romans 8:22-23) and we are part of this creation. But thanks be to God “that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.” (Romans 8:21).
Prayer
Father, we ask that Your Spirit continually remind us of the future glory that You have promised. While this life may be wrought with frustration, we eagerly wait to be brought into the freedom that You have promised Your children. We wait, and watch, and praise, and sometimes groan until the time of Your glorious revelation that is found in Jesus Christ, in whose Name we pray, Amen.