It has been said that each of us has either just walked through a storm, is currently in one, or is about to walk through one. Indeed, this world is full of pain and suffering, and no one is immune to the suffering and pain of this life. Even amidst the struggles of this world, we have hope. One of the many reasons we can still cling to hope is that God does not leave us alone to walk through trials. Scripture tells us that we have the Holy Spirit interceding for us, praying for us, when we, deep in our grief, don’t even have the words to say.
This week in our Bible study, we have been learning what Paul teaches about suffering in Romans 8. Today, we will look at what Scripture teaches us about the Holy Spirit’s role in our lives as we walk through difficulties and suffering. Paul wrote, “The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s will” (verses 26-27). The Holy Spirit is a gift to every single follower of Christ. One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit to us is that the Spirit prays for us, interceding for us before God the Father. Not only does the Spirit plead for us, but the Spirit pleads for us “with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.” In other words, the Holy Spirit prays for us earnestly, with deep care and concern. We are not alone as we walk through difficulties and suffering. The Holy Spirit is praying for us, fighting alongside us with every step we take. This truth makes all the difference.
Shortly before He left earth and returned to Heaven, Jesus told His disciples about the Holy Spirit in John 14. He said, “When the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you” (verse 26). The Holy Spirit is our helper, praying for us, teaching us, and reminding us of truths from God’s word. The Holy Spirit reminds us that we are never alone as we walk through this Christian life.
If you have placed your faith in Christ, you have the gift of the Holy Spirit, who advocates for you, helps you, and prays for you as you walk through trials and suffering. You do not have to walk through anything, especially your suffering, alone. May none of us take the gift of the Holy Spirit for granted for even one moment!
The truth that the Holy Spirit is pleading for us as we walk through trials and suffering is not insignificant. Indeed, the Spirit is a priceless gift from God to us. For the next few moments, pray. Thank God for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who brings our concerns and needs before Him when we do not even have the words to pray. What a promise we have to cling to amidst our suffering!
“God, as I walk through trials, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Help me…”
1“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”
5 “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. 7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”
8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”
9 Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. 11 Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.
12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!
15 “If you love me, obey my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. 18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. 19 Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. 20 When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”
22 Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?”
23 Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. 24 Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. 25 I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. 26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. 28 Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. 29 I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe.
30 “I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me, 31 but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father. Come, let’s be going.
