Have you ever stumbled over your words, not knowing exactly what you wanted to say? Perhaps you were on the phone with someone from the customer service department and you were having a difficult time trying to explain something. You wished you could just hand the phone to someone else to handle it for you. Maybe it was in school and you had to go speak to the well-known, renowned professor. You wished you could send your much more eloquent and charming friend on your behalf. There are times when we feel that way when we are praying. Can we just hand it over to someone else to handle? St. Paul gives us the answer to that in our Scripture passage today. Let’s see what God’s Word has to say.
We have had studies from the eighth chapter of Romans three times this month, and today is our fourth sojourn into this chapter, and next week will be our final one. There is a lot of good, “spiritual meat” in this chapter. Last week Paul had spoken about both creation and believers groaning with what they are going through, and today he adds a third groaning, that of the Holy Spirit on behalf of us (vs. 26). When does this happen? As I mentioned earlier, there are times when we face a very critical situation, or are carrying a very heavy burden, and we know we need to go to the Lord in prayer. We want to go to Him in prayer, but we don’t know what to say. It is then, as Paul says, that the Holy Spirit steps in and helps our human weakness, especially our inability to pray as we should.
Even when we can’t find the words to pray, the Holy Spirit is there, taking our requests before God. He holds on with us, strengthening our prayers with silent, wordless intercession. Rather than stumbling over our words, praying the wrong things, or just making a mess of our intercessions, the Holy Spirit’s intercession is perfectly aligned with God’s will (vs. 27). Even when our prayers are confused, weak, or misdirected, the Holy Spirit prays rightly.
Next follows a verse that many people count as one of their favorites, and is often quoted when going through a difficult time. Verse 28 assures us that whatever we are going through, the Lord will work it out for our good. “All things” includes suffering, trials, persecution, weakness, and even our ignorance in prayer. With how often we hear people quoting this verse, we might think that it is a cliche. It is not, though. It is a theological guarantee rooted in God’s eternal plan.
However, we must remember that this verse does not apply to everyone. Paul stated that things work together for good to “those who love God”. As we know, there are millions everywhere who do not love God, and this verse would not apply to them. It applies only to believers, to Christians. However, for Christians, whatever the reason for our trial, we can know that God has a purpose in that adversity, and that He has allowed it for our good. When a bad event passes through God’s permissive will to affect us, He will bring good from it.
As we continue on in our Scripture passage we see that it is God’s desire that we are conformed to the image of the Lord Jesus (vs. 29). It is God’s goal to make believers like His Son. He is continually working to shape our character, conduct, and conversation. Although God is the one who accomplishes the transformation, we have some responsibility in the process. If we don’t cooperate with Him, the world will squeeze us into its mold, and we will miss the great plans God has for us. As we are conformed to the image of Jesus, we will increasingly learn to be obedient to God and His Word.
The word “if” in verse 31 would be better translated as “since” because there is no question whether He might or might not be for us. God is definitely for His children! And since He is, no enemy - human, demonic, or circumstantial - can thwart His saving purpose for us. God gave His Son for us, which is the greatest gift ever (vs. 32). And because He did, He will “freely give us all things”, giving everything necessary for our salvation and perseverance.
Satan is right there, though, trying to bring accusations against us to God (vs. 33). Scripture calls him the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10), but his accusations cannot stand because God justifies us. There is no higher court in existence which can overturn His verdict! There are four reasons why no one can condemn a believer (vs. 34). Jesus died, paying the penalty for us. He rose again, conquering death. Jesus is now at the right hand of God, holding the place of authority. And He is there making intercession for us, continually pleading our case. As we see now, we have both the Holy Spirit praying for us, and also the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ!
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