Romans 8:26-27 “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
In verse twenty-four of this chapter, Paul tells us that we are saved by hope. Knowing Paul’s conviction that our eternal salvation is only in the blood of Jesus Christ, we realize that this is not the salvation that comes to us by hope. Rather, our hope in Jesus saves us from our doubts and fears while we labor here in His kingdom. This salvation is of a daily and constant nature.
In this same way (daily and constantly), the Spirit also helps our infirmities. The Spirit is manifest in our hope. It joins with it and amplifies it so that we many understand that we have a source of strength that is not of this world. This mighty power assists us in our feebleness. It holds us up when we would otherwise fail.
Most often, when we think of the word infirmity, we think along the lines of physical ailment. While this is certainly valid, and the Spirit does help us in our physical needs, there is another meaning that also applies here. Strong defines the word translated as infirmity to also mean “moral frailty.” Even when we are physically healthy and strong, we are still morally frail.
We are so frail, in fact, that we do not truly understand how to worship or what to ask for. As the Spirit works in us, we find that there are times we feel a great need in our hearts that we do not know how to put into words. We absolutely have no idea of the true depth of our need, nor do we have language to express it. We see in this the absolute faithfulness of God.
Since we do not truly understand what we should pray for, the Spirit makes intercession for us. The Spirit knows our deep need. The Spirit expresses for us that which we do not have language for. Through the Spirit, our deep need is expressed to God, our Father.
The word of God knows the thoughts and intents of our hearts (Hebrews 4:12). Knowing the thoughts and intents of our hearts, God also knows the purpose (mind) of the Spirit. The Spirit strengthens us to overcome our moral frailty that we might indeed praise and worship God. Our moral frailty is subdued so that we might live a spiritual life before God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Jesus told us that He did nothing of His own accord (John 5:19). Likewise, the Sprit does not act of its own accord. The Sprit makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. The Godhead is in perfect accord in all things.
May we always rejoice in the sure knowledge that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work all things according to the counsel of their own singular will to help and deliver of the saints of God!