The Holy Spirit's Intercession - Awaiting for God's Final Redemption

February 16, 2013 - Romans 8:22-30

8:22		我 們 知 道 一 切 受 造 之 物 、 一 同 歎 息 勞 苦 、 直 到 如 今 。
8:23		不 但 如 此 、 就 是 我 們 這 有 聖 靈 初 結 果 子 的 、 也 是 自 己 心 裡 歎 息 、 等 候 得 著 兒 子 的 名 分 、 乃 是 我 們 的 身 體 得 贖 。
8:24		我 們 得 救 是 在 乎 盼 望 ． 只 是 所 見 的 盼 望 不 是 盼 望 ． 誰 還 盼 望 他 所 見 的 呢 。 〔 有 古 卷 作 人 所 看 見 的 何 必 再 盼 望 呢 〕
8:25		但 我 們 若 盼 望 那 所 不 見 的 、 就 必 忍 耐 等 候 。
8:26		況 且 我 們 的 軟 弱 有 聖 靈 幫 助 、 我 們 本 不 曉 得 當 怎 樣 禱 告 、 只 是 聖 靈 親 自 用 說 不 出 來 的 歎 息 、 替 我 們 禱 告 。
8:27		鑒 察 人 心 的 、 曉 得 聖 靈 的 意 思 ． 因 為 聖 靈 照 著 　 神 的 旨 意 替 聖 徒 祈 求 。
8:28		我 們 曉 得 萬 事 都 互 相 效 力 、 叫 愛 　 神 的 人 得 益 處 、 就 是 按 他 旨 意 被 召 的 人 。
8:29		因 為 他 預 先 所 知 道 的 人 、 就 預 先 定 下 效 法 他 兒 子 的 模 樣 使 他 兒 子 在 許 多 弟 兄 中 作 長 子 ．
8:30		預 先 所 定 下 的 人 又 召 他 們 來 ． 所 召 來 的 人 、 又 稱 他 們 為 義 ． 所 稱 為 義 的 人 、 又 叫 他 們 得 榮 耀 。

 ²² We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. ²³ Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

   ²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. ²⁷ And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

   ²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. ³⁰ And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Paul proclaims that the Spirit helps us; the Spirit intercedes for us through wordless groans; the Spirit intercedes for us according to God's will. We have weakness in awaiting for God's final redemption of our bodies - we may not have patience enough; our faith is swayed by what we see from the world; our hope for eternity is questioned; our love is diminished as we see the lawlessness happened, etc. But the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and re-ignite our hope and patience for God in order to see how God prepares for our final destiny - God foreknew us (God has been relating with us though we did not know Him); God predestined us to be His adopted children; God called us when His time comes; God justified us to be righteous; and God glorified us in His final redemption.

Dear Holy Spirit, good morning to You again. You are the most wonderful God's gift to me that You are helping me in my weakness and re-invigorating my hope and passion for God's final redemption in this world and His people of God. I need You to show powerfully God's final redemption plan in my heart that I really know that God foreknew me; God predestined me; God called me; God justified me; and God glorified me in His final redemption. His will in my life is always the best will in me. Continue to trusting You, submitting to Your will and walking closely with You everyday.