Romans 8.26–28
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.
28 And we know that for those who love God
all things work together for good,
for those who are called
according to his purpose.
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Seeing God in all the chaos is no easy task. It could be truly said that it is even impossible. In myself and my limited wisdom, I see poorly; I am weak. But He has put His Spirit in me, and He helps me in my weakness and my shortsightedness. When I am at the end of my rope, He searches my heart and intercedes for me. When I just don’t understand what God is doing in my life, the Spirit witnesses to me.
Some mortals say
of temporal suffering
“No future bliss
can make up for it,”
not knowing that Heaven,
once attained,
will work backwards
and turn even that agony
into a glory.
-C.S. Lewis
One of the great promises of God is that He will, in fact, work all things for good for those that love Him. I know it doesn’t mean that the hardships and pains themselves are good, but I do know that He will use them all for His good. The Gospel reminds me that God, in His wisdom and power, will somehow force even the worst events in my life to bow down to His glory (1 Corinthians 15.24-28). All these things are but servants of God, with no power in themselves. They can perplex me, but they will not crush me, because nothing can separate me from His love (Romans 8.35-39).
God permits what He hates
to achieve what He loves.
-Joni Eareckson Tada
Somehow, God uses everything to serve its purpose in my life to bring glory to God, and ultimate joy to my heart. Maybe that joy won’t be completely fulfilled in this life; I know I will die with many unanswered questions, but the day will come when all those questions will be swept away in forceful glory as I enter into my eternal home.
When you go through a trial,
the sovereignty of God
is the pillow
you rest your head upon.
-C.H. Spurgeon
Read Again Out Loud and Make it into a Prayer:
Romans 8.26–28
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It is Well
Horatio Spafford and Philip Bliss, 1873
Personalize and Read or Pray Aloud:
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet,
though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
And Lord, haste the day when
my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound,
and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
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Pray Aloud:
Father, be glorified in __________ ,
let Your Kingdom
and will be done,
in and through __________
as it is in Heaven.
Give _________ daily bread,
and thank You for Your forgiveness.
Help me to forgive others,
as I know that You have forgiven me.
Keep __________ eyes fixed on You
and Your Word so that _______
may not sin against You.
Thank You for Your sovereign love.
