Groanings Too Deep For Words

Sometimes, the things going on around us, are so overwhelming that it requires a pause. We stop. No words to write come to mind. Chaos and scrambled thinking abound.  We have to reorganize and wrap our mind around what we see and struggle to recapture what we know, as believers in Christ.  I have been there for some days now, as I am sure many of you are. Everything is out of control. It seems that way at least. They are, if we believe the governments of this world are in control. If you and I are in control. Then truly, things have completely spun out of our jurisdiction.

The fact remains, and the one thing that we must grasp with our heart, soul and mind…We are not in control, of anything…but our own heart, soul and mind. We choose whom we shall follow. We choose how we will treat others. We choose whether to carry on in willful sinning or repent and be redeemed by the blood of Christ. We choose whether to live in peace or destroy. We choose…

It is then that we come to know the One who is in control. The One who walks before us and behind us. The One who listens intently to the ramblings of our heartfelt prayers. The One who clears the path before us, just far enough for today. No worry about tomorrow. Just today is ahead of us. He holds our tomorrow.

Our hearts break for those touched by terror. We want to reach out to them in love. Comfort them. Tell them it will be okay. But miles separate us. So we post their flag colors on social media posts. We send our prayers across the seas. We send up millions of prayers calling for our Father in heaven to comfort them in their hour of need, their hour of sorrow and their feeling that everything is out of control. Prayers, that often cannot find the words that adequately describe what is going on in our heart for those touched by tragedy.

God was prepared for that kind of soul groaning. There was a process. First,  Jesus came to redeem the sinful soul. He overcame the death of the tomb. He ascended back into the heavens before the eyes of His disciples as witness to the miraculous risen Savior. Then He sent the Holy Spirit to counsel us in His absence. To comfort us on those days that are not going well. The days of unspeakable grief and loss. One who would take our groanings and loss for words and turn them into prayers, lifted to the Father. Turn our scrambled cries for help into beautiful prayers. Sent like incense to the Father. The One who is in control. Whether we are here, or whether situations take us there. Our path is secured by Him. Whether we clearly understand or we are confused, He sends the comforter to help right a soul in shambles, so that we can see clearly again. So we can bring Jesus back into focus. So, we can trust again. Trust Him with our today and our tomorrows.

~Scripture For Today~

Romans 8:26-27

26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (NASB)

Psalm 73:23-24

23 Nevertheless I am continually with you; You have taken hold of my right hand. 24 With Your counsel You will guide me, And afterward receive me to glory. (NASB)

~Prayer For Today~

Hello Father! We kneel before You with sorrow for the innocents. The words are too hard to form. We desire revenge and yet we know that is Yours to address. We don’t know what to pray. We pray Your guidance over the decisions of those in leadership positions. We pray discernment for them to see evil in hidden places and yet so obvious. We know that Jesus commands us to love our enemies, to pray for them that they will find salvation and turn from their evil ways. That is so hard for us to do, yet, Jesus did that for us. His terror was our sins upon an old rugged cross. Yet, He forgave us. We pray for Your will in all things. In Jesus’ name. Amen.