Not Alone | Romans 8:26–27
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We’ve been talking about adversity and about suffering.
Paul has noted that our suffering is not compared to the glory to come, but how does that comfort us today?
Paul is beginning a series of reasons our hope is not merely a future hope, but also a present reality.
For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
The first truth is this:
God’s Spirit does not ABANDON us in ADVERSITY.
God’s Spirit does not ABANDON us in ADVERSITY.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
The Holy Spirit WALKS with us
The Holy Spirit WALKS with us
The first thing we see is that the Spirit accompanies us in our suffering.
It’s easy to feel abandoned in the midst of our suffering. To feel like no one is going through or has gone through, or will go through what we’re going through.
Dr. Dan Brennan notes that feelings of abandonment stem from a fear of loneliness, which can be a phobia or a form of anxiety.
“A fear of abandonment presents itself in people who seem like “people pleasers” or need continuous reassurance that they are loved. There is also a consistent anxiety that occurs with abandonment issues.
Common signs of abandonment issues include:
Giving too much or being overly eager to please
Jealousy in your relationship or of others
Trouble trusting your partner’s intentions
Feeling insecure about your relationship
Having difficulty in feeling intimate emotionally
Needing to control or be controlled by your partner
Settling in unsatisfactory relationships”
But the truth of this wonderful text is that God’s Spirit never abandons us. God’s Spirit helps us in the midst of our weaknesses.
Paul David Tripp in his book New Morning Mercies talks about a wonderful verse of encouragement in the midst of loneliness:
a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.
“What a beautiful word picture...He comes to you in grace to comfort, strengthen, encourage, and restore. His love toward you is tender and faithful. He is near you when it seems no one else is. He will care for you when no one else does. He will heal your wounds when no one around you seems to see how wounded you are. He will never mock or take advantage of your weakness. He will not let you go unnoticed or disregarded. If you are his child, it is impossible for you to be alone and unloved because your heavenly Father is with you and reaches out to you in tender, restoring love.”
The Spirit INDWELLS us (John 14:15-18)
The Spirit INDWELLS us (John 14:15-18)
The Spirit LEADS US to truth (John 16:13)
The Spirit LEADS US to truth (John 16:13)
The Spirit EMPOWERS US to overcome sin (Luke 24:29)
The Spirit EMPOWERS US to overcome sin (Luke 24:29)
The Spirit is our constant companion who will never abandon us not for one second.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
The Holy Spirit INTERCEDES on our Behalf
The Holy Spirit INTERCEDES on our Behalf
The word Greek word intercede is a word that comes from two greek words. Huper - which means on behalf of and entygxano which mean to hit the bullseye or to light upon, and later meant to confer with or entreat.
The word for sin in the Greek is harmartia. It means to MISS THE MARK, so in ancient Greek it’s antonym is tygxano. So in essence we who were in harmartia “who miss the mark” have the Holy Spirit to tygxano, or “hit the mark”, huper on our behalf!
What an amazing truth. The Holy Spirit HIMSELF, according to scripture, hits the mark for us when we don’t know what to say.
How many of you have been there in the midst of suffering. How many of you have been left speechless by your sin or your circumstance?
According to Paul, we have the SPIRIT to pray for us.
Mark Batterson said this:
“Long before we woke up this morning and long after we go to sleep tonight, the Holy Spirit was and is circling us in prayer. And if that doesn't infuse us with holy confidence, I don't know what will. But it isn't just the Holy Spirit who is interceding for us; the Son of God is interceding for us as well. They are interceding for the will of God to be accomplished in our lives.”
― Mark Batterson, Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge
What an amazing truth.
WHEN YOU CAN’T SAY A WORD THE SPIRIT IS INTERCEDING FOR YOU.
And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
The Holy Spirit KNOWS us
The Holy Spirit KNOWS us
Notice what the word says. God searches our hearts. God knows us. Why can the Spirit intercede for us? Because God knows us.
God knows us better than anyone.
and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.