In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Romans 8:26-27 CSB

For the past few days, we’ve been meditating together on the gift of Holy Spirit. A gift made possible by the selfless love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ who died on the cross for my sin and for your sin. Like all gifts, the gift of Holy Spirit is given freely, no strings attached, to all who believe on the name of Jesus. As Peter put it, all who repent and make a public profession of faith in Jesus’ name receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).

Yesterday, we examined John 15:26 and Jesus’ promise to send us the Counselor, the Spirit of truth to testify of Him. I shared yesterday that I’ve come to the conclusion that Jesus knew that without His physical presence and guidance, we would be prone to lean on our own understanding, to go our own way, to think we know on our own what Jesus would do in a situation or what God’s Word is saying to us.

I’ll admit, this was a difficult conclusion for me to come to because I consider myself to be an intelligent person. After all, I have multiple degrees hanging behind me as I type that demonstrate my intellectual achievement. Do I really need Holy Spirit to be my Counselor every moment of every day?

And, even as I make this confession to you, Holy Spirit is reminding me of a verse God’s words in Isaiah 55:8-9:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, 
and your ways are not my ways."
     This is the Lord's declaration.
"For as heaven is higher than earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways,
and my thoughts are higher than your thoughts."

I need Holy Spirit every moment of every day to counsel me. I might consider my thoughts and my ways to be pretty lofty by man’s estimation, but oh, friend, I am far from God’s mark.

As I consider my great need for the Counselor, I am reminded that Holy Spirit doesn’t just give us guidance and teach us to follow Jesus whose ways are higher than our ways (though that is a good and perfect gift all on its own!).

Holy Spirit also intercedes for us in prayer.

Why?

Because sometimes “we do not know what to pray for as we should” (Romans 8:26). How many times have I, have you, prayed amiss, asking for something outside of God’s will for us or asking for selfish reasons rather than out of love for God or for others?

James’ writings apply every bit as much to us today as they did to the early Believers (James 4). Many times we simply do not know what to pray for or we pray for the wrong reasons.

Thank God, another gift within the good and perfect of Holy Spirit is the gift of an intercessor.

Holy Spirit knows our hearts and knows God’s heart.

Holy Spirit knows our minds and knows God’s mind.

Holy Spirit speaks to God on our behalf, interpreting all of our hurt, our fear, our longings to the Lord, turning our wordless wonder into waves of praise and worship.

Holy Spirit speaks to us, relaying God’s love, peace, comfort, guidance, admonition, making God’s thoughts and ways known to us so we can follow His will in general terms (what He desires for all people) and in specific terms (directions, encouragement, discernment, etc…that He has for our specific circumstance or life path).

As we thank God for the gift of Jesus this Christmas, let us also remember to thank Jesus for the gift of Holy Spirit, our counselor and intercessor. Truly friends, God has gifted us with many good and perfect gifts in Holy Spirit, made possible by grace through faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

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