Groaning

Romans 8:18-27 ESV

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. 

26 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. 27 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. 

We are told here that having the Spirit will cause us to groan inwardly.  We groan because we eagerly await the completion of our salvation, because we know there is more.  We are confident in the glory that will be revealed.  We know this because of the Holy Spirit within, bearing witness to our spirit.  That is how we know we know. We don’t understand this peace beyond understanding, yet we have it.  

In our weakness, we are unable to translate our yearnings and desire into the language of the kingdom, for we are bound still by the flesh of creation and the finite.  The Spirit speaks for us, even as we are without words, for He knows the language of the infinite.  Just as the spoken words of the Father sound like thunder or the rushing of mighty waters, the words of the Spirit can be likened to groaning to our primitive ears. 

The Spirit has been given by God and dwells in our hearts, and has become one with our’s.  It is God Who searches the heart.  It is with His Spirit we are able to answer.  It is with His Spirit we have the answer.  That is His plan. This is His will.