8:26
So we have been told that creation is groaning in anticipation, and that we ourselves have a glorious future ahead, but also that that involves suffering with Christ. That still leaves a problem. We may agree that suffering with Christ is good, is well worth the cost, achieves a good purpose, but even so there is the problem of our weakness. No one likes suffering, and everyone finds it difficult, even to the point of feeling we are close to the edge of failure. Paul now addresses this point. The fundamental point is that the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We are not under Law, we are not left to deal with the trials in our own strength. We are children of God, we have received the Spirit, and He helps us. The area where Paul highlights how this works is prayer. In the midst of trials we may well not know what to pray, but we need not fear. For the Spirit helps us to pray. More than that, He intercedes for us. Now some may interpret the “groanings too deep for words” as praying in tongues. Praying in tongues is a good gift, but the teaching here is not restricted to that. Paul’s words apply to all Christians. We are in a relationship with God.
8:27
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, and God knows the mind of the Spirit, and the Spirit knows the mind of God. There is no danger of miscommunication! The Spirit prays perfectly for us. He knows what is on our hearts and minds, and therefore what needs sorting out, and where we need strengthening.
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