I woke yesterday with this devotional started but things got in the way.  They were good things, but none the less it delayed the writing and this morning I read what I had started and felt convicted to go a different way.  I was still struggling to find the words to write, but the path and reason seemed different this morning.

I had begun yesterday in Romans 8 26-27

Romans 8:26-27 (ESV) ²⁶ Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. ²⁷ And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Now I still had that in mind as the starting point this morning, but when I fired up my PC after prayer time and praying for the kids and leaders at CIY and I found had left my digital Bible open in the book of John chapter 16 and I just began reading.  That is where the focus changed.  It was still on the power and help of the Holy Spirit, but just a bit different.

John 16:7-15

Jesus is telling the Disciples some harsh truths about His leaving, and He knows it is breaking their hearts; “sorrow has filled their hearts” (John 6:6).  But in verse 7 he begins telling them about the “Helper” and that they will not be alone.  He goes to great lengths describing what the Helper will bring.

John 16:7-15 (ESV) ⁷ Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. ⁸ And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: ⁹ concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; ¹⁰ concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; ¹¹ concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

¹² “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. ¹³ When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. ¹⁴ He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. ¹⁵ All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

I read the rest of chapter 16 and my sense was that they were struggling to grasp it

Reflections

What a wonderful promise that Jesus shared, but for the Disciples, t was so difficult to grasp.  It is hard for me to fathom what it must have been like to have traveled as a disciple of Jesus and hear the marvelous teachings, but not have the indwelling Spirit to help me understand.  His words.

I think of all the times in the Bible where Jesus showed them great miracles and they were blown away and in the next moment they were thinking about earthly things.

I am so thankful for the gift of the Holy Spirit. I know I still get distracted; that is the adversary working to turn my eye from God.  But I give thanks for the Spirit who corrects me if I will just listen and obey.  Those thoughts put me back in Romans 8.

Romans 8

I went back to Romans 8:1-8 and read where Paul was explaining the difference of life in the flesh and life in the Spirit. Then I came to verses 9-11

Romans 8:9-11 (ESV) ⁹ You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. ¹⁰ But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. ¹¹ If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Verse 9 is a tough verse that requires us to be truthful with ourselves.  It is one of the verses with that infamous “if” statement.  Everything is Great IF you meet the minimum requirements.  But the comfort that comes from the rest of the passage is one of peace when you know the Spirit is in your heart and that leads me to Romans 8:12-17

Romans 8:12-17

This passage is so wonderful to ponder.  It is such a joy to know the peace that this brings.

Romans 8:12-17 (ESV) Heirs with Christ

¹² So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. ¹³ For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ¹⁴ For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. ¹⁵ For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷ and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

When I think of this passage and what God is conveying through Paul I am awestruck.  A fallen man like me was bought at a price and that purchase made me an heir with Christ Jesus, who, by His blood, my debt was paid.  I cannot find Words worthy to praise Him.  My heart aches with thanksgiving!

There are three more passages I read this morning that I want to share.

Romans 8:18-25

You know it is so easy to get caught up in our daily struggles, hardships, or illness, but just a moment in this passage and I realize that they are only temporary.  This time here is fleeting and it cannot compare to the future glory God has planned for us.

Romans 8:18-25 (ESV) ¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. ¹⁹ For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. ²² For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. ²³ And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

My hope is in Jesus Christ and I wait patiently.  I know that he has given me all I need, even when I do not know what that might be.

Romans 8:26-27

This is the passage that started it all yesterday.  It dealt with the intercession of the Holy Spirit when I do not know what to pray.

Romans 8:26-27 (ESV) ²⁶ Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. ²⁷ And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

This is such a wonderful gift.  We do not always know what to pray.  Sometimes we pray for one thing with and honest and open heart to God, but He knows the real need.  The thing is He knows us and our needs better than we do and intercedes on our behalf.  All we need do is trust Him and obey.

The last passage I want to share is from Philippians 2.

Philippians 2:12-13

When I looked back on these passages I could not help but see first the promise of the Helper by Jesus and then all the work He does in us as described by God through Paul.  That lead me to Philippians and one of my favorite passages.

Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV) 

¹² Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³ for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

It is God who works in me for His good pleasure.  Let me listen and obey.

Closing Thoughts

I look at all these passages and contemplate the wonder of the Holy Spirit and all that He gives to me.  How can I not listen and obey?  I know I get distracted.  I know my selfish nature gets the best of me sometimes, but I am thankful that God disciplines those He loves and I am thankful that He has given me the ability to grow and learn.  I am filled with a thankful heart.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for the words that you guide me to when I cannot find them.  Thank you Lord for knowing my needs when I do not.

I thank you Father for your love, grace and mercy and the gift of your Holy Spirit.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen!