“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. 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” (Romans 8:26-27).
Godly living—especially during times of tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, and sword—is a most rational enterprise. Just as a Christian’s vibrant hope of eternal life ought to produce eager patience (Romans 8:23-25), the Holy Spirit’s intercession ought to do likewise.
When life’s burdens are so heavy that it is impossible for you to lift them so they can be cast before God’s throne (1 Peter 5:7), the Holy Spirit helps us. The word “help” (sunantilambanomai) is graphic: “sun” means “with”; “anti” means “opposite” or “beside”; “lambanomai” means “to take or receive”. All together, this compound word creates the word picture of the Holy Spirit taking hold of the other side of my crushing burden and carrying it into God’s presence, thus making intercession for me when I am incapable of doing so.
When your need and desire to pray runs deep but your fountain for words has run dry, when your heart and soul are so overwhelmed by life’s trials and you do not know what you ought to pray for, the Holy Spirit becomes personally involved and pleads for you.
A glorious hope (Romans 8:22-25). A personally involved, divine Intercessor when overwhelmed (Romans 8:26-27). An unshakable confidence in God’s providence (Romans 8:28-30). Who in their right mind quits on a God like that???
Persevere, heir of God, persevere.
