“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” vs26-27
The believer has help by the Holy Spirit. We have not been left orphans, but the Lord Jesus has come to us with power. The Christian life is not by our own resources, but help is given from God dwelling within.
The Spirit helps us pray, when we cannot! He "intercedes for us with groanings that cannot be uttered… according to the will of God." He makes intercession with words that WE DON’T EVEN SAY, and the Father hears Him perfectly. Thus, all things work together for our good (vs28).
Do not fear! The gospel's job is to comfort, so we draw near to God for help. It is not a religion of human ability, but God doing for man in every way; it is utterly gracious; it is absolutely of the Lord. Do not fear that you have no strength, or trials are too hard. It doesn’t matter: You have God interceding for you , saying, “Give him what he needs.”
This doesn’t mean that we don’t pray, war, and fight; it means that we have help.
As we look upon this world of struggles, we have sufficient hope, and hope makes not ashamed (vs24-25). "Now in this hope we are saved, yet hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience." Sometimes, you may hope it rains, or hope the car doesn’t break down, but this is not the hope of the gospel: Our hope is sure and steadfast, an anchor settled in the heavens, coming assuredly without any possibility of failure. It is more sure than our next breath; it is anchored in God; it has power to give us what we hope for, like a dragnet, drawing us to the end. This is the greatness of grace: Our hope guarantees us the promise.
We have many dangers here (vs18-23). Heaven is not on earth, and we don’t escape suffering as believers. "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us… For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now. And not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits - - we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies." We grown like all of creation, awaiting perfection. We have the Last Enemy still tormenting us! Death can be painful, sudden, or slow; it can rip our hearts out. Crops go unwatered, joys turn to sorrows, and we suffer so much loss and frustration. On top of that, we have persecution and inward struggle. The whole creation is groaning: the peace of Eden is gone! Sin has made a mess of this world, and it isn’t getting better. There is no utopia here! Even in the church - the greatest society on earth - there are difficulties and troubles, false brethren, wolves in sheep’s clothing, and those who draw back. There is unbelief, and what a wretched thing that is!
The time is coming, however, when suffering will be no more, and we’ll have our full liberty to worship God in absolute peace. Sin will be banished, darkness will be put away, and we’ll dwell in unceasing Light. I don’t know what it looks like, but the new heaven and new earth will be peace, pleasure, and perpetual goodness: It will be the greatest thing for ever!
Oh, how our hearts groan to be here. Oh, how we want no more struggle, doubt, or failure… no more waiting, longing, or disappointment… no more doing without God's fullness. It is coming, however, hold onto your hope.
→ Do not be ashamed of the gospel. Have faith. Endure by the help that He gives, and know you have all that you need. Set your mind firmly on the heaven that awaits us.