Groanings Too Deep For Words

Day by Day Devotions
DAY TWO:

There are days when I desperately cry out to the Lord.  Those times of desperation do not come with beautiful words or clever turns of phrases.  Sometimes, the only word I can say is “Jesus.”  My soul is overwhelmed and I am unable to articulate exactly how I feel.

That is when I am most grateful for the assurances of Romans 8“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.  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.   And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:26-28

Romans 8:28 is my favorite verse.  It makes me feel at peace to know that “ALL things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”  Even the ugly, yucky muck and mire that we get caught in is for His glory.  He turns it into good.  On the good days or even the difficult days, that puts a spring in my step.

On the darkest of days, the words that give me comfort are that “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.”  There are those days when I do not have words.  I have emotions welling up inside bursting to get out, but that isn’t all I have.  I have the Holy Spirit who is able to intercede for me.  He searches my heart and calls out my prayer even when I cannot.  That is the glory of God.  When I have no words, He provides them and He loves me enough to work it all out for my good and His.  What a great God we have!

Let’s praise Him for our weaknesses that remind us of His power and provision.  Let’s praise Him for the Spirit who intercedes.  Let’s praise Him for the groanings that are uttered when we have no words to speak.  Let’s praise Him for the way He works all things together for the good.

Heather McKinney