Page 69 - Living Light Spring 2024

Thursday May 23 - Holy Spirit’s prayer list
...the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
Romans 8:27
We’ve reflected on the ‘groans’ of life; we’ve looked forward to the glory to come, but how do we cope? I suggest it’s not by reading self-help books, but rather by living in the confidence and the flow of a divine prayer meeting. The Son and the Spirit are praying for you right now! Alongside the Holy Spirit, we learn from Hebrews 7:25 that Jesus ‘lives to intercede for’ us. This is mind-blowing – the Son and the Spirit, at this moment in time, are before the Father praying for you. Take captive any feeling of abandonment, knowing you are constantly being brought to the mind of God!
If that’s not enough, then consider the Son and the Spirit’s prayer; they are praying ‘in accordance with the will of God.’ And just what is the will of God? Two verses on (v 29) we are told that God’s will is for us to be conformed to the image of his Son. Often our minds can be so taken up with temporal issues that we lose sight of what’s happening in the heavenlies.
If we are to learn from Jesus’ prayers, it must always be to include the caveat “nevertheless not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). Praying for God to change his will is a pointless exercise. So let’s submit our minds to his predestined purpose, and be conformed to the likeness of Jesus.
Father, I want to join that heavenly prayer meeting – may I become more like Jesus today! Amen.
Friday May 24 - In all things
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
In order to fully understand the workings of God, we must link this verse with yesterday’s and tomorrow’s. The Holy Spirit is constantly interceding for us according to God’s will (v 27), namely, that we conform to the image of Jesus (v 29). Paul is convinced, no matter the situation, that God purposefully works to that end.
Note that Paul is not saying all things work together for good, but that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. Note too that it is in all things – not just some things, not some more than others – but that in every situation we face we have the opportunity to co-operate with the miracle of Christ being formed in us (Galatians 4:19). This is God’s work, not ours; we simply have to acknowledge and actively comply. It does not happen for everyone, but only those who submissively love God, allowing him to be the Potter, and find contentment in being ‘the clay’.
Dear friend, do not think you are superfluous; you are predestined to fulfil the purposes of God! He is not scratching his head, wondering what to do with you! You have a purpose. ‘When David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep...’ (Acts 13:36). How beautiful. May the same be able to be said about you and me.
Father, ‘We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand’ (Isaiah 64:8). May it be for your glory! Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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