In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27, NIV)
When is the last time you went out for solo nine-hole round just before dusk? I can’t remember it, if I’m honest. As many deep and wonderful relationships that the game has brought, there’s something uniquely special about a solo loop. The amount of relaxation it brings, of course, often depends on score, expectation, and pace of play.
It’s the quietness of a solo round that I find myself longing for at times. It’s probably the same reason I often get in the car and leave the radio off. The same reason there’s sometimes no hot water left for my husband.
We think most clearly in the quiet. Put more correctly for believers, we hear God better. It’s one reason that our spirit longs for silence.
Our passage today talks about how the Holy Spirit helps us when we are weak. We may be speechless, but the Spirit intercedes, which really is amazing.
How often do we find ourselves at a loss for words? We think, Where do I even begin?
When we lay our worries at the feet of Jesus and sit in silence, we allow ourselves the chance to hear God’s will. We give him a chance to help us solve the problem.
Sometimes we don’t get an answer in that moment. But because we’ve surrendered it to God and are open to what the Spirit wants to do on our behalf, the pieces of the puzzle very often begin to supernaturally fall into place.
Imagine then what can happen when you invite God into your quiet moments.
People marvel at how well they think in the shower, where they’re left with no distractions—including no phones! Imagine then what can happen when you invite God into those quiet moments.
In 1 Kings 19, we find Elijah on Mount Horeb, also known as Mount Sinai, where God met Moses and gave him the Ten Commandments. Here is a piece of that account:
The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.
“Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
“Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:11-13)
While God can certainly come in mighty knock-your-socks-off ways, he usually speaks to us in gentle whispers.
Is your life quiet enough to hear him?
—
Beth Ann Nichols
August 19, 2021
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The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.