What Does the Bible Mean When It Says…?

I believe I am tasked with starting a new Bible study series we are going to call “What does the Bible mean when it says…?”

Any takers?

C’mon. Let’s get started.

We will start with a couple of verses that are familiar to you if you’ve been a Christian for more than a minute.

²⁶ 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. ²⁷ And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.

Romans 8:26-27 NLT

Before we dive in, let me state that when it comes to interpreting Scripture, context is king.

Context is King!!!

So what’s the context?

Scouring Scripture, we discover Romans 8:26-27 nicely nestled within a passage where the Apostle Paul speaks profoundly of the hope and assurance we—as believers—find in the Spirit’s intercession for us in our weaknesses.

Writing to Christians in Rome, the Apostle Paul digs deep as he elaborates on the theme of suffering in the present time, contrasting it with the glory that will be revealed to us one day. The Apostle Paul declares that creation itself is groaning in anticipation of this future glory and urges us—as believers—to do the same because we have been graced with the firstfruits of the Spirit.

By providing the Christians in Rome this encouragement, the Apostle Paul simultaneously offers us (his future audience) insight that underscores the intimate relationship between believers and the Holy Spirit. Paul’s message gives us the greater context of our tight knit communion with God through the third person of the Trinity—the Holy Spirit—reassuring us that even today we are not alone in our struggles because the Spirit is faithfully at work within us, interceding on our behalf and steering us closer towards fulfilling God’s will.

This passage strengthens our faith by reminding us of the deep love and care that God has for each of us. Whatever you’re going through, the Lord is in it with you.

Deep Dive Let’s GO!

In Romans 8:26-27, the Apostle Paul offers us profound insight into the nature of prayer and the role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. In this passage, Paul speaks to the intimate involvement of God in the struggles and weaknesses of His people, providing comfort and assurance in times of uncertainty.

We do not suffer as people without hope nor as people without a Savior. The Holy Spirit is present in our lives working for our good and praying on our behalf.

In the midst of our suffering and while we look forward to the redemption of our bodies, the Holy Spirit supports us in our weaknesses, particularly in those times when our human frailty is most exposed.

We may not know what it is God would have us pray when we are enduring life’s difficulties. In the midst of trials or confusion, we can find ourselves unsure of what to ask for in prayer.

What is it, God, that you would have me do?

Our vision is limited and our human understanding is lacking. But, God’s is not.

“But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words” reveals to us that the Holy Spirit prays for us in a manner that exceeds beyond the ability of human language. We can understand these “groans” as expressions of deep emotional or spiritual communication transcending words. The Apostle Paul is highlighting the depth of the Spirit’s involvement in our innermost beings.

In verse 27, the Apostle Paul declares “And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying,” —a powerful statement emphasizing that while we might not comprehend how, God fully understands the language of the Spirit. There is a perfect harmony between the Spirit’s intercession and God’s will, for the Spirit is God, one of the three Persons of the Trinity. This means the prayers offered by the Spirit on our behalf are always in alignment with what is ultimately best for us, according to God’s will. Isn’t that wonderful news!?! I think it is.

The Apostle Paul lands the plane at the end of verse 27, stating “for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.” There is a perfect harmony between the Spirit’s intercession and God’s will, for the Spirit is God, one of the three Persons of the Trinity. This means the prayers offered by the Spirit on our behalf are always in alignment with what is ultimately best for us, according to God’s will.

Isn’t that wonderful news!?! I think it is.

Romans 8:26-27, in context, serves as a source of great comfort and hope for us as believers. We can walk confidently in our faith knowing that even when we don’t know what to pray for, the Holy Spirit is actively working to bring our needs before God in a way that aligns with His good and perfect will.

In summary, in this passage, the Apostle Paul teaches us about the profound assistance we receive from the Holy Spirit in our prayer life. It reassures us that in our weakness and uncertainty, the Spirit is present, interceding on our behalf in perfect harmony with God’s will, ensuring that our deepest needs are brought before the Father, even when we lack the words to express them.

When I don’t know what to pray…

Friends, I’ve spend time with this passage in recent weeks and months. There have been numerous times when I have found myself at loss for the words to write, let alone pray. I believe God has been working on growing my prayer life while helping me deepen my reliance on Him for whom nothing is impossible. I am reminded of Jon’s words: “I know you can anything, and no one can stop you.” [Job 42:2 NLT]

At work, I’ve dealt with an overdue shower project that took nearly 100 days to complete while planning for a much-needed dog park enhancement that simply is not moving fast enough to suit anyone, including the dogs.

At a time we need it most, I’m trying to identify much needed food sources because our regular resources are dwindling and less reliable. I’ve witnessed God at work through answered prayer as new donors have “popped up” —-not due to any of my efforts other than not knowing what exactly to pray for in the midst of this moment.

On the home front, my sister-in-law just had open heart surgery and my mom’s eye sight continues to deteriorate at a faster pace than expected. She is also facing the prospect of oral surgery due to a potentially cancerous growth on her tongue.

In the middle of all of this, God is present and through the Holy Spirit praying on my behalf because I don’t know what to pray for as I do my best to navigate through the stormy seas that this earthly life often brings to each of our front doors.

We can take comfort in the Apostle Paul’s words. Through the Holy Spirit, God is with us and God is for us.

Amen.

I pray you enjoyed this romp through some favored Scripture. I pray that it blesses you and encourages you amid whatever obstacles you might be facing.

God is good. All the time.

No mater what.

Know you are loved.

Praying for you. Praying for America.

Rainer Bantau —The Devotional Guy™

#JesusStrong