God's Gifts #15

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

Romans 8:22-27 www.solascriptura.com

Father, in a sense, we love life and all of its opportunities yet we also look forward to perfection, a eternal life without sin and suffering. We who love You and have committed ourselves to Your service wait for the moment in time when we finally see all of that which You have prepared for us. You tell us that eye has not seen nor has mind imagined that which You have prepared for us.

It is this hope that leads to our faith in You Jesus and to our redemption, all made possible by God's grace and mercy.

Paul teaches here that Your Spirit intercedes for us and pleads for us with words that are inexpressible by ourselves. There is no one that is able to present us to the Father in such a manner but You Jesus.

Paul reminds us again that we are saints, awaiting redemption, and that You search our hearts and intercede for us. We can not easily grasp that fact. Help us O'God to know the depth of Your love. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Bruce Caldwell