Romans 8:26-30

Romans 8:26. 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.

Groanings, then, are prayers, and prayers which the Spirit of God most certainly hears. And those desires which altogether exhaust language, or which cannot be put into language by reason of the exhaustion of our sorrow, these are nevertheless heard of God, for the Spirit of God is in them.

Romans 8:27. 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.

That is, when the mind lies still, and God the Holy Spirit writes his will upon it, and also writes God's will. Hence such prayers are sure to be effectual, for they are but the shadow of God's secret purpose falling upon the soul as a kind of prelude to the coming fulfillment of that purpose. Saints' prayers are prophets of God's mercies. We are sure of it; we have no doubt whatever; we know it by experience, as well as by revelation.

Romans 8:28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,

Not yet «all mankind,» but these who «love God.»

Romans 8:28. To them who are the called according to his purpose.

For they would never have loved God if he had not called them to it, and had not purposed to call them.

Romans 8:29. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

One is tempted to linger over that golden chain, and examine every link. It will suffice, however, to observe that every link is well fastened to the next. Where there is the «foreknowledge,» which is alias the «forelove,» there is also «elect» there must be «called» there shall certainly be «justification,» and where that is, there must be «glory.»

This exposition consisted of readings from Romans 8:26; Revelation 21:10; Revelation 22:1:l-5.