A text pops up on your lock screen or you notice a handwritten card in the stack of mail. Someone you know reaches out to you or calls you. Isn’t it wonderful to be thought of by another?
Life is an interconnected web of relationships. Of the billions of other people on this planet, it sure is nice to know somebody sees, cares about, and appreciates you. Even in personal circles, individuals can get overlooked … but to know you are noticed and valued is reassuring.
I feel loved every time someone encourages me with their words or does something thoughtful for me. Even more profound is the mind-blowing reality that both the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ are interceding on behalf of the saints to the Father in Heaven. Two members of the Trinity are united in prayer over the redeemed people of God.
Romans 8 draws the curtain back for us.
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And He who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God … Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.”
– Verses 26-27, 34
I can only imagine what Christ appeals for my sake! I am so grateful John 17 offers a peek at the content of Jesus’ intercessions. He speaks to the Father of “the people whom you gave me out of the world” (6). “I am praying for them,” He states, “for they are yours” (9).
“Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one … I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” – Verses 11, 15-17
Our Savior expresses His desire to share His glory with believers of all times, propagate His love through faithful followers, and bring us to where He is. How He truly loves us!
God’s Provision: Isaiah confirms that the Lord’s purposes cannot be thwarted or reversed (14:27). What He sets out to do, He does, for His will is always accomplished.
If God’s Son and Spirit are advocating to that end, certainly it will come to pass for us!
Word of the Week: Iota. The ninth letter of the Greek alphabet, representing an extremely small amount. Jesus promises, “Until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished” (Matthew 5:18).
