For our next devotion series, I would like us to look at “Prayer and the Will of God”. In the following text we find some very precious promises given to us by our Lord through the Apostle Paul….
Rom 8:26-28 (KJV) Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.
Most of us are quite familiar with verse 28 and rightfully so. It is a tremendous blessing to realize that all that takes place in a Christian’s life will work for their eventual benefit. But what’s interesting is the previous two verses in this context… the previous verses promise us that the Lord is actively, through the Holy Spirit, assisting us in our prayer life (vs 26).
So in our text, we actually have a double blessing that is especially important to us during times of trials, heartaches and need:
1.The Lord is enabling our prayers to Him – This promise encourages us NOW before the issue is resolved.
2. He promises the event will work for our benefit. This promise applies to NOW, but especially the FUTURE, when the issue is completed and the spiritual benefits to us have been received.
Many times we find the Lord encourages us in the same basic way in many differing contexts. He promises His presence with us now and future blessings, received in eternity or later in our lifetime. This seems to be the pattern of our encouragement from Him. In other words… in a VERY GENERAL way the pattern goes something like this…
We can be encouraged in the here and now …. HE IS WITH US.
Heb 13:5 “[Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
We can always look ahead and be encouraged …. MANY BLESSINGS ARE YET TO COME…
1Cor 2:9 “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”
Let’s keep these truths in our heart today as we face whatever the day may bring forth.
May the Lord bless us as we “Think On These Things”.
SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org
SIH Text Blog: http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/all-about-salvation/
SIH Video Blog: http://youtube.com/settledinheaven/
SIH Email: settledinheaven@gmail.com
I love those verses. Read them daily.
Cathy,
They certainly are a blessing to us all. Some wonderful promises that’s for sure. Lord bless you.
Thank you for reminding us of the countless benefits of trusting in God’s promises. A wonderful and encouraging post!
Susan,
Lord bless you. His promises are certainly a wonderful blessing to us all. Thanks for the comments.
The joys and glories He has in store for us are completely beyond our human ability to comprehend: for this I continually give thanks!
Granbee,
AMEN! come quickly Lord Jesus. May the Lord bless you. Thanks for your comments
So, so blessed by this, as it speaks to me and goes along with another dear sister’s post today, about when we pray. I love when He brings us coordinated messages, like stepping stones of faith. God bless you , Pastor Rob, as you pray and know that He is with you!
Debbie,
I am thankful the Lord is blessig you through His Word. This is a wonderful passage that holds alot for us all. Thank you so much for the kind and encouraging words. Lord bless you.
Thanks again Rob.
This is a wonderful Scripture and it has been a blessing to me many times, but I do believe Romans 8:28a is one of the most mis-used verses. People quote that part without considering the context, and apply it to all sorts of situations that really make them fatalists rather than faithists.
Angela,
These verses have been a blessing to me as well. I’m trusting by the time we are done everything will be explained in it’s context. You are right it is very important to see these things within their context. Lord bless. Thanks for your comments.
Often when I am praying and I can’t seem to say or express what I want…I remember that the Holy Spirit will help me and say exactly what and how I want to approach God with intercession…Diane
You make a great point Diane. What a wonderful blessing it is to be able to know that when we cannot find the words to speak to our Father the Spirit will take over for us! Lord bless you. Thanks so much for the comments.