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The Spirit Intercedes for Us, January 19
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the
Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the
will of God.
Romans 8:27
.
We have only one channel of approach to God. Our prayers can come to
Him through one name only—that of the Lord Jesus our Advocate. His Spirit
must inspire our petitions. No strange fire was to be used in the censers that
were waved before God in the sanctuary. So the Lord Himself must kindle in
our hearts the burning desire, if our prayers are acceptable to Him. The Holy
Spirit within must make intercessions for us, with groanings that cannot be
uttered.
A deep sense of our need, and a great desire for the things for which
we ask, must characterize our prayers, else they will not be heard. But
we are not to become weary, and cease our petitions because the answer
is not immediately received. “The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence,
and the violent take it by force” (
Matthew 11:12
). The violence here meant
is a holy earnestness, such as Jacob manifested. We need not try to work
ourselves up into an intense feeling; but calmly, persistently, we are to press
our petitions at the throne of grace. Our work is to humble our souls before
God, confessing our sins, and in faith drawing nigh unto God. The Lord
answered the prayer of Daniel, not that Daniel might glorify himself, but
that the blessing might reflect glory to God. It is the design of God to reveal
Himself in His providence and in His grace. The object of our prayers must
be the glory of God, not the glorification of ourselves.
When we see ourselves weak, ignorant, and helpless, as we really are, we
shall come before God as humble suppliants. It is ignorance of God and of
Christ that makes any soul proud and self-righteous. The infallible indication
that a man knows not God is found in the fact that he feels that in himself he
is great or good. Pride of heart is always associated with ignorance of God.
It is the light from God that discovers our darkness and destitution. When
the divine glory was revealed to Daniel, he exclaimed, “My comeliness was
turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength” (
Daniel 10:8
).
The moment the humble seeker sees God as He is, that moment he will
have the same view of himself that Daniel had. There will be no lifting up of
the soul unto vanity, but a deep sense of the holiness of God and of the justice
of His requirements.—
The Review and Herald, February 9, 1897
.
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