The Holy Spirit
(Romans 8: 26)

Romans 8: 26 has been a stronghold for God's children. This passage teaches a truth that goes beyond our comprehension. A passage filled with hope, joy and encouragement. A passage filled with Gods goodness and care for His own.

God knows our weaknesses and He comes to our aid.

Rom 8:26 And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered

This is a comforting thought, it helps us to be full in time when we are not full. In times when encouragement is far away. In times when heaven seem to be made of steel and we do not think that we can get through. A comforting thought in times of distress and pain. A comforting passage in times when prayer even seems the hardest thing to do.
The Spirit makes intercession for us. God has given us so much. It is no wonder that God is called good. (Psalm 135: 3)
God is even better then good. But what it this passage telling us?

Well, if we consider the context it helps us to see what God is sharing with us.

Rom 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward.

We see here that it speaks of the sufferings of the present time that are not worthy to be compared to the glory that Christians will share in when they are in the glories of the new heavens and the new earth.
This shows us that the sufferings of our days are so small compared to the the glory that will be revealed in us.
The Bible tells us that Christians do need to suffer. (Rom. 8: 36, 37; 2 Tim. 3: 12; 1 Peter 5: 10)
We will suffer, we will feel the hurt as we follow our leader Jesus Christ. We will suffer when we try to grow into His glorious image. We are predestined to be comformed to His Son and so we will suffer like He suffered.

Rom 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God.

It tells us that the earnest expectation of the creation waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
This shows that all of creation, all that has been created, is awaiting for the sons of God to be revealed at the end of time. All of looking forward to this time. The time that the the children of God will receive there reward.
Why? The next verse tells us loud and clear.

Rom 8:20 For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope

Rom 8:21 that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.

Here we read of the reason why all of creation is waiting for the revealing of the sons of God. And cosequently for the new heavens and the new earth. Because creation was subjected to vanity. This creation is suffering, the whole of creation is in pain and in sorrow. The whole of creation is suffering under the bondage of sin. When sin entered the world everyting was cursed. All of creation was cursed. (Gen. 3: 17) And that will be till the time when the new government of God comes, the time when He will bring the new Jerusalem down from heaven. (Rev. 21: 1ff)

Vanity:
1) what is devoid of truth and appropriateness

2) perverseness, depravity

3) frailty, want of vigour

Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

Here we read that the "whole of creation" groans and travaileth in pain.
This is the heart of this context. The whole of creation groans, is in pain and travaileth. All because sin that entered the world. When sin entered the world, all was cursed.

Other versions use the phrase: “Like a woman in labour”.
So, all off creation is compared to a woman who is in labour. A woman who is in labour is in pain and only desires one thing, that is that the child is delivered. So does all of creation wait for the child (new heavens and new earth) to be born. Then all the pain will have ceased. (Rev. 21: 1-4)

Rom 8:23 And not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for our adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

This verse then shows that even the children of God are not free from this pain and groaning.
So Christians, even though delivered from sin also suffer the consequences of the fall of creation.

Christians, allthough they have the firstfruits of the Spirit also suffer.
Christians also look forward to their adoption, to their redemption. Is it the only true hope of the Christian.

We received the firstfruits of the Spirit when we were obedient to Gods plan of salvation.
(Eph. 1: 14; 2 Cor. 1: 22)

Rom 8:24 For in hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which he seeth?
Rom 8:25 But if we hope for that which we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

The hope of eternal life that we treasure as Christians is a hope that we cannot see with our eyes, only with our eyes of faith.
Our hope will one day become a reality, at present we do not see it, but we hope for it with confidence. We, like Abraham are looking for a city with foundations. (Hebr. 11: 10)

Rom 8:26 And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered;

Since Christians groan and suffer God comes to our aid. For in our suffering we do not know how to pray as we ought. Since we suffer and are under sin, even our prayers are incomplete.
He, the Spirit, is there to make "their incomplete prayers complete".

All of this shows us that the prayers of Christians are not full or complete, but the Spirit makes them complete before the throne of the Father. He does this with groanings that cannot be uttered. Unknown to us, but the Spirit makes our prayers complete before the throne of God, our Maker and Father. What a glorious thought this is for us!!!!
What a blessing this is!!!

Rom 8:27 and he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

The Spirit who makes intercession for us, all these things are according to the will of God. God the Father rules and all that happens happens like He wants it to.

Is the Father good? Yes, He is good. We love Him because He first loved us.
What love He has bestowed upon us? Amazing grace!!!!
He places us in the family of God when we are give ourselves over to His plan of salvation.
He places us in the heavenly places (Eph. 2: 6) and blessed us with all spiritual blessings.
One of these blessings is that the Spirit makes our incomplete prayers complete before the Father.