The Trinity, Part 1

SCRIPTURE:  And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. Romans 8:26-27 NLT

THOUGHT: I never noticed that the nine short verses at the end of Romans 8 describe the story of our Triune God in such a way that if it’s all of Scripture you had, you would have all you need. For the rest of this week, I’m going to focus on these three great descriptions and promises in a little mini-series.

First, we have the Holy Spirit, and we find that this “arm” of God helps us in our weakness. It’s almost humorous the example Paul picks of weakness – not sure many of us think our most profound weakness is knowing what to pray for, but maybe we should think more deeply about that. Perhaps it’s not physical strength or help for some weakness of character we need most. We lack the all-seeing and all-knowing qualities of God, we don’t know what’s ahead, and we don’t know God’s will in all matters, but the Spirit does.

Turns out our greatest weakness may be a lack of understanding or wisdom or fully comprehending. My guess is Paul probably knew a few things about battles in the spiritual realm that I don’t, but regardless of how much or little I understand that world, why would I ever want to attempt to navigate it on my own if I had a perfect helper as a gift from an unimaginably powerful God?

In a world gone haywire, it gives me comfort to know that God hears me through the perfect understanding and language of the Holy Spirit. When I make no sense, am overwhelmed by fear or fatigue, or simply wrong-headed in my prayers, God, who knows all hearts, knows what the Spirit is saying, and because it’s perfectly aligned with his will, he is saying ‘yes’ to what the Spirit is pleading for me.

We’re in good hands.

PRAYER: Oh God, that your Spirit lives and breathes inside of me and every believer is astonishing. Renew our holy imagination for your amazing plan, and help us make more room for the one who pleads for us in our weakness.