OCTOBER 27, 2025 – THE SPIRIT INTERCEDES

READ: Rom. 8:24–27: … Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses … the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings …

We live in a world broken and corrupted by our sins. Even believers are not spared troubles, cares, and sorrow. How comforting it is then that the faith given to us may lead to complete redemption in glory—the perfect eternal life.

Yet there is still a time of suffering. The Holy Spirit is also given to us as believers so that we may endure that suffering. He already testifies with us that we are children of God, and He also ensures that we keep the glorious future clearly in view.

Through that hope our faith is strengthened, and we are encouraged and comforted. We hold fast: Christ is bringing everything to completion. We groan and long, we hope and pray, even though we do not yet see anything.

That last point is also a temptation to give up hope. We can get stuck if we see no outcome. Paul takes that into account. On Christ’s behalf he points us to another special work of the Comforter, whom Christ has given us.

Paul agrees that what we hope for we do not yet see. That should not confuse us. Instead we should hope all the more strongly. Hoping in faith in God’s promises is not  uncertain but a sure expectation, in which you will not be disappointed.

Hoping in faith means being convinced it will happen. The Spirit wants to work that conviction in us. He wants to prevent us from being so shaken by circumstances that we lose hope. At such times we may not even know what we should pray for that is pleasing to God. In that situation the Spirit helps us.

Our prayer is especially important when we are in need. But do we then see our real need clearly? Do we see what we really need? In that case the Spirit intercedes for us. He makes intercession for us with inexpressible, divine groanings. God the Father knows our heart. He knows what the Spirit prays for us, what we need—and He grants it!

Can you explain why the Spirit is also called Comforter?
Sing: Ps. 4:2,3