God wants His child to pray effectually. God does not leave His child in the wilderness. He does not leave His child to struggle on his own. He provides all that is needed for His child to be successful in his walk with the Lord. The Holy Spirit will help the weak child of God to know how to pray.
The “groaning that cannot be uttered” is not a support for the heretical teaching of tongues. The groaning are sighs that we might only be able to produce. However, those who are genuinely saved have the ear of the Father. The Lord Jesus Christ is there to intercede on behalf of His sheep. The Holy Spirit will bring the need of the saved person before the Father. The true child of God is never without help from God. We need to know Him and we need to be walking with Him.
In verse 27 we see that He is searching the heart of the true child of God. The “He” is likely speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is actively involved in providing the needs of the true child of God. We see that “He” knows what is the mind of the Spirit. The “He” is also the One making intercession for the saints according to the will of God. That is a key phrase: “according to the will of God.” We need help in knowing what the will of God is. God’s Word will tell us much in this regard. Each child of God will face different challenges. God will guide each child to pray specifically for his or her spiritual and physical needs.
In verse 28 we are again reminded of the fact that we, those who are saved, know that all things work together for good to them that love God. Who are these people? “To them who are the called according to His purpose.” There are some people who insist they love God, but yet they walk in defiance of His Word. Something is wrong with that picture. We know that God is right and so when a person claims to walk contrary to what God says, we can know whom we should believe and follow.
Those who are the called are those who hear the Shepherd’s voice and follow Him. It is not the Calvinist’ restrictive heresy that some cannot be saved and are forced to perish in hell. The called are those who hear and respond obediently to God’s call for salvation. After that call, God calls each of His children to a specific task. We need to hear that call as well. Some people go through their lives miserable because they fight against God’s call for them.
Jonah disobeyed God’s call in the Old Testament. He was already a prophet of God. He was called to go to Nineveh. He did not want to go there and chose to purchase a ticket to go the opposite way. However, God called him to a task. God brought about a storm and the men eventually threw Jonah overboard. God had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. When the men threw Jonah overboard, the storm ceased and they were safe.
Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of that fish. During that time he had the opportunity to rethink his rebellion and he chose to obey God, at least in part. God caused that fish to vomit Jonah up on dry ground. Jonah went to Nineveh and preached the message of repentance and warning that God gave him. Then he waited outside the city to wait for God to destroy the city. The people heeded the warning, and they repented and God spared the city. Jonah did not like that. He was upset with God over His act of mercy.
God had called Jonah so He continued to teach him the importance of that Godly love and care for the wicked. Jonah needed to learn some important lessons, and so do we today. Those who are saved need to have compassion on the lost. We tell them the truth and we continue to pray for them, that they might heed the message and be saved. We rejoice with the angels over one sinner that repents. We long to see sinners saved and growing in the Lord.
In verse 29 we are reminded that God has a plan. He has a plan for how Christians live. He has a plan for how Christians look. He has a plan for what Christians do. He determined that before the world was created. He intends for His children to behave like His children. He provides all that is needed for His children to be conformed to the image of His Son. Paul has often written about this need in the book of Romans.
A person has to deliberately reject the truth to study God’s Word and come away accepting carnality as normal for some Christians some of whom may not even saved. God has a design and He works to bring about that design in each of His children. Jesus Christ is the firstborn among many brethren. In comparison to the lost, true Christians are few in number. However, there will still be many in heaven.
In verse 30 Paul continued this teaching. God’s predestination is to those who are called for a specific task after they are saved. He justifies those who heed the call and He blesses their labour of love on His behalf. There is a reward awaiting those who are faithful to their calling. I Corinthians 3 speaks of that reward. The apostle Paul encouraged Timothy with the promise of the crown of righteousness that awaits those who love His appearing.
Today is the Lord’s Day. It is another day to get ready and join other true saints in the house of the Lord. It is a blessing to join together in fellowship with other true saints. It is also a blessing to be able to serve the Lord through this important avenue. You may have opportunity to show some lost sinner the importance of knowing the true God and serving Him. Don’t miss that important privilege.
Pastor Bartel