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these groanings o f the Spirit which cannot be put into words. But there are other times when we pray with the “ Spirit and with the understanding also” (1 Cor. 14:15), i.e., we thoroughly understand what it is the Spirit is prompting us to ask for. But in whatever way the Spirit leads us in prayer, whether it be in groanings that cannot be put into words, or whether it be leading us into desires that we understand and can put into words, the petition is according to God, i.e., it is according to 1 His will and it is therefore sure to be granted (cf. 1 John 5:14, 15). v. 28. “And we know that to them that love God all things work together fo r good , even to them that are called according to His purpose.” Here we have the second great privilege that we possess even in the present life—that o f knowing that all things work together for good, and therefore being free from all possibility o f anxiety o f heart under any circumstances. Not only do we think or hope that all things work together for good, but we “ know” it if we know that we love God, as whatever comes to me must be part o f the “all things;” therefore, whatever comes, no mat ter how unexpected or-how unwelcome, or how unfortunate it may seem, instead o f fretting over it we should thank God for it, for we have His guarahtee that it will work together with other things for our 'g ood . Left to itself it might not work out good, but God will mix with it other things that will turn the seeming evil into good,^ ho matter what it may be. Those who do love God are those who are ' “the called according to His purpose.” I f any one questions whether he is one o f those who are called according to His purpose, all he needs to do to settle the question is to find out if he loves God; if he does, that fact makes it sure that he is one o f the elect. v. 29. “For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image o f His Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren-.” There is much hate in some quarters against the doctrine o f foreordination, but the Bible doctrine
heir in Himself, we are heirs in Him, but being in Him we are co-heirs, or joint- heirs. When one tries to carry this out in all its bearings it is simply staggering in its stupendous significance. But this joint heirship bears with it something else ; i.e., a partnership with Christ in His sufferings. Just as surely as we are children o f God and live as children o f God, we must suffer in this God-hating world (John 15:18-20; 2 Tim. 2:12; 2 Tim. 3:12). But these suf ferings involved in being a true child of God have an infinite compensation: if we suffer with Him now, we shall also he glorified with Him hereafter. vs. 26, 27. “And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity: fo r we know not how to pray as we oughts but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession fo r us with groanings which cannot he 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 (omit “ the will o f ’ ) God." While we do not have everything in this present age (vs. 18-25), yet we have all we need, indeed we have a wonderful full ness o f privileges and,possessions. These verses set before us the first o f these great privileges, i.e., the privilege o f praying according to the will o f God. In ourselves, we do not know how to pray as we ought; we do not know what to pray for, nor how to pray for it, but there is one who does know, one who knows all the mind and will o f God, and HE helpeth our infirmities. Here we find the secret o f true and pre vailing prayer, viz., depending upon the Holy Spirit to help us to pray, and expect ing Him to help us to pray. When He does teach us to pray, we shall pray with intense earnestness, “groanings that cannot be uttered” (or rather unspeakable groanings, groanings that cannot be put into words). Some times the yearning He puts in our hearts will be too deep and vast for our own comprehension. Even God must search the heart to know what is the mind o f the Spirit. So it comes 1 to pass that God does “ exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Eph., 3 :20) in responding tq
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