March 21 – Romans 8:18-30; Genesis 3:17-19
Lesson: He Intercedes
Dear Lord, bless our time with you today. Meet us where we are at, guide our minds, and hold our hearts as we search for Your truth.
First, do your own quiet time with God and 4R journaling. When you are complete, come back here for the lesson.
Request Gods’ help
Read Romans 8:18-30; Genesis 3:17-19
Record a verse that stands out to you
Respond to God
Have you ever had that deep yearning for something in the depths of your soul? It’s not a bad feeling, but it is uncomfortable. You have no words to describe it, barely an emotion to slap a label on it. There is the ache and acknowledgement that something is missing. Maybe you want to cry out and you have no voice.
That, friend, is your whole being wanting, desiring and longing for restoration. (And so, too, does the Spirit, you know.) Since the moment Adam and Eve sinned, the need for restoration existed. And we as a people have been searching for that restoration since then. Some of us look for it in our families, some with hobbies, some with addiction… we all look for it somewhere. But, friend, that restoration can only be found in Jesus!
The Spirit is not some passive bystander who just watches us flounder and grope for words from the sidelines. No! He is an active participant, helper, and He groans with us! And boy have we been groaning for a loooong time! Just look back at Exodus 2:23-25. God’s people were groaning and God heard them! And now, friend, we have the gift of the Holy Spirit within us that allows us that direct communication with our Abba that we so desperately want!
Take notice that He does not just do it all on His own in solo mode, He is completely in the will of God. Jude 20 says that we are to pray in the Holy Spirit and to pray consistently knowing that the Holy Spirit will intercede. The Spirit and God are in communication, in agreement, one mind and oneness. It’s true that in our brokenness and sinfulness our prayers will never be perfect, but if praying according to His will: He will hear, He will accept us, and He will answer! (1 John 5:14-15)
So, when you go before Him wordless and imperfect, know that Spirit is there working tirelessly on your behalf. Just go before our King and kneel in His presence and be embraced in love by Hope Himself.
You are not alone. If you are tired with a great weight on your shoulders weighing you down and unmovable, simply go before Him and bring your heart. Let the Spirit do the work for you, let Him interpret your groaning until you have the strength to lift your own voice to His.
Dear Heavenly Father, we praise You for You are the great communicator. You have sent Your Spirit to speak on our behalf the words we cannot produce. We know how we ought to pray, Lord, but often not what to pray. We thank You for the Intercessor!
What’s next?
As the Spirit leads, in the comment section below, share what He has laid on your heart.
Then join us again tomorrow to learn about the ministry of sacrifices.
1 Comment. Leave new
Okay. I have to start with this favorite snippet from Melissa’s commentary, today. I just love this advice SO much and intend to use it often: “simply go before Him and bring your heart.” Thanks, Melissa!
My verse: Romans 8:30 “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.”
My response. First, You chose me. I, who was often picked last in gym class, was chosen by You!! Then, You called me to come to You, and as a 4-year-old child, I came. Then – amazingly – You washed me clean and continue to do so, so that I have the right of salvation and being Your child to stand before You and talk to You intimately. Yet even that is not enough in Your loving mind. Your generosity overflows, Lord God. When You usher me from this life to eternity, You’re somehow giving me … You glory??? I can’t even comprehend. It feels too much. Oh, how You lavish Your love on Your children!