“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. 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. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.” Romans 8:26-30 NLT
There are numerous situations where we are overwhelmed by feelings of hopelessness and despair. We find ourselves beset by unmanageable circumstances that are totally beyond our control. In our weakness and dismay, we become so fretful and fearful that we even lose sight of the promises of God. We cry to Him for help and cling to the hope that He will change our outward circumstances. Even in our groaning and supplications, we hardly know what to request because our vision is so limited.
In times like this, it is a great comfort to remember that we have a Guide, a Governor, a Caretaker who sees what we really need. His timely interventions are usually inward instead of outward. That is, while we want to see circumstances change, He wants us to change. In our weakness, we cry out for relief, while the Holy Spirit is sifting our groanings through the will of God. As our advocate, He is committed to interceding with the Father on our behalf. And His petitions are always heard because they perfectly fit with God’s great purposes for our lives.
That is why the apostle Paul was so certain about all things working together for good to those who love God. He said, “we know,†not “we hope.†He spoke with assurance, not in terms like “maybe,†“if,†or “but.†Moreover, this certainty takes in “all things,†not just some things. What confidence we should all have! Our heavenly Father, the sovereign God of this universe, is exercising supervisory control over every single affair in our life.
