May 22, 2018 Tuesday

“For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:22-27 NKJV)

            As we look at the beauty we see around us it is easy to forget at times this is a fallen and broken world.  We marvel at the beauty and amazing intricacy of creation that surrounds us and the God who created everything from nothing.

            But for all the beauty this is just a broken creation which awaited the coming of Jesus because finally hope was born!  All the wonderful signs surrounding the birth of Jesus was a sign that once again Heaven and creation were connected and the first fruits of redemption has begun!

            Being fully God and fully human Jesus is a symbol God is reuniting Heaven and creation once again.  Creation understood the great cost for redemption as Jesus died on the cross and responded with darkness, storm and earthquakes!  Creation also understood the wondrous hope by some dead coming out of graves to celebrate the life we have been given and the veil of the temple was torn as God brought hope back!

            Like creation our soul groans under the weight of sin and cries out to God for help, hope and God!  We often do not know what we want or need and out prayers become a muddled mess leaving us despairing of hope.  But the Holy Spirit knows our weakness and intercedes for us and cries out what is beyond our ability to ask!

            God responds to our groaning and intercedes for us giving what we need and when it is good for us what we want.  The word intercession is a combination of two root words which mean in a fixed position in time and space to be by and with someone and another which means to hit the mark by a spear or javelin.  This is wonderful in that sin means to miss the mark!

            If the beauty we see in creation is marred and broken by sin what do you think Heaven will be like? Have you ever come to God in prayer and run out of words or not know what to say?