For our next devotion series, I would like us to look at “Prayer and the Will of God”. In our text we find some very precious promises given to us by our Lord …. Rom 8:26a Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities:
To begin our study, it is important for us to understand what is meant by the term “infirmities”. If we study the word that is translated “infirmity” we find it means “any area of weakness’. Normally, in the New Testament this word is used to describe a physical illness or affliction, but not always.
A few of the exceptions are:
1. In 1 Cor 15:43, we are told that our physical bodies were brought into existence in “in weakness”. In other words, our physical bodies are fallen susceptible to illness, limited in power, and capable of sin. In this sense our bodies are “infirmed” (or weak).
2. Also in 2 Cor 13:4, we are told that Christ was crucified in “weakness” (infirmity) but was resurrected by the power of God. In other words, Christ’s physical body was not eternal in nature, it was fleshly and human, it was capable of dying. It was “weak”. His crucifixion proved this.
3. Also, MANY times Paul uses the term in lists describing the many hindrances to the gospel that he faced. He could have been speaking about physical illnesses but, probably, he was referring to all the different weaknesses that his fallen flesh was exhibiting as he served the Lord.
When we are told that the Spirit “helpeth our infirmities” we are being given a promise that the Spirit will help us in any area of weakness we may experience in our service to the Lord. This would include physical illnesses but goes far beyond that. It would also include things such as struggling with sin, tiredness, lack of strength, inability to speak a foreign language, inability to understand a spiritual truth, the list is endless.
The other important word to understand is the word “helpeth”. This word involves two ideas… “to share” and “to relieve by participating”. To help us understand this idea, think of our weakness as a large heavy weight that is hindering our service and burdensome to bear. The Spirit will relieve us of the burden by sharing it with us.
In some cases, the Lord will graciously intervene in our lives and totally remove our weaknesses from us, but that is NOT what is being promised to us in this section of Scripture. Here, the promise is for a lessoning of our infirmities by accompanying us. When we experience weakness in service, we can count on the Lord being there for us, gracing us, sharing our burden and giving us the ability to continue to serve Him while still affected by these weaknesses.
Are we struggling in an area of service to which we are called? He is with us every step of the way and He will meet our every need if we only look to Him!
2Cor 4:8-16 (KJV) [We are] troubled on every side, yet not distressed; [we are] perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you…For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward [man] is renewed day by day.
May the Lord bless us as we “Think On These Things”.
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Rob, of course the first thing I think of when I see this scripture is my body, but totally agree with you that it is every other part of you as well. I spoke with someone last night who has been sick with some kind of virus for over 1 wk. She is working and pushing through anyway, but without any joy and good attitude. Of course she doesn’t know the Lord. But what was revealed to me was that healthy people have such a time of it when they do get sick or injured! their attitudes, moods, behaviors, whether they can even smile or not is very wrapped up in themselves. I am not criticizing really just making a brand new observation. And now I guess I understand why so many people are amazed with my attitude! Sorry to go off subject-but this is something totally new to cross the brain. What do YOU think of what I am saying?
Cindy,
I agree with the principle you are taliking about. For any one of us, when we are consistantly blessed in an area of life we take it for granted. Then, when it is taken from us it is difficult for us to adjust and accept the loss of that blessing. It is a part of our sinful flesh. For those who are not blessed in a certain area of their life…. it then becomes commonplace and the lack of that bnlessing simply becomes a part of our life. In either case, it is the Lrod grace being shown to both. Just as Paul said, his lack of blessing was really a blessing in and of itself because it drew him closer to the Lord. Lord bless you Cindy. I trust you are continuing to feel some better. Thanks for your addition to the posting.
Rob, I just love how you are so NICE in how you put things to me!Truly! All I know is because of what I have been through, I will never the be same again. I have fallen completely in love with Jesus in a way like never before and of I have completely trust Him and rely on Him like never before either. But he is so faithful! you know how I love Isaiah well this morning He reminded me again in 48:9-12 how he has refined me in the furnace of affliction-for His own sake-lest one else should have or claim HIS Glory. Then you move on down to v 17-22 and again He tells me He teaches me what is best for me, directs me-with a little rebuke too, cause sometimes I go my own way. He said if I had just done it this way(his way) this time, peace would be flowing like a river. BUT REGARDLESS, he is the God to always obey, ck in with-and He will take care of you.I’l let you read v10-15 yourself.
Cindy,
Yep Isaiah 48: is a very good text, thank you for sharing it. He had been so good to each one of us. It is such a blessing to not only see His blessings but also see the recipient recognizing His blessings in their life. You are a blessing to me. There are so many, including myself, that experience His blessings but do not recognize them as we should. Lord bless you. Thanks for your kind comments.
this was very interesting to me, although i knew it already, it is something i should continue to reread due to my brother
Terry,
This would be a great set of verese to read to Al. I trust the Lrod will see fit to bless all of us in this study. My prayers continue. May He bless you in a special way today. Thanks for the comments.
u r welcome!
This was such a blessing, Pastor Rob.
To think about Him helping us in our weakness and lifting it as well, is a tremendous thing! God bless you! Loving this study!
Deb,
When I think of how good He is in helping me with all my weaknesses, His grace is magnified and the problems I face are minimized. Lord bless Thanks for the comments.
Sometimes I think life could be easier and that if we had no problems, no ‘infirmities’ we could do so much more . . . but that feeling doesn’t last very long, because I know these are blessings in disguise when we depend on our great God and allow Him to work His work in us and through us.
I do marvel at some of our friends here at wordpress who have ongoing ‘infirmities’ and yet are used to encourage us and their happy nature challenges us.
What an amazing God!
Angela,
I am very amazed as well. There are many dedicated Christians who are going through so much and yet they remain faithful to Him. What a blessing.