Bible Study - GOD'S Will (5) - GOD'S Will and My Circumstances - Romans 8:26-32 - November 10, 2019

Bible Study – GOD’S Will (5) – GOD’S Will and My Circumstances – November 10, 2019


This is lesson five (5) in our series entitled “How to Know GOD’S Will.”


Our focus scripture is Romans 8:26-32.


GOD Works on your behalf – even in seemingly random circumstances.


Is GOD at work in our circumstances even when from our perspective everything is not going according to our thoughts and hopes? YES! That is when we continue to pray, ask HIM if we have gotten in HIS way or are getting in HIS way, if so to reveal it. If GOD reveals something to you then acknowledge it and learn from it and trust GOD to lead you to take the steps you need to take. Trusting GOD when the angry waves of life are splashing around you is trusting in faith and building faith. Let’s explore!


Let’s read Romans 8:26-27:

²⁶ In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us^[l] with unspoken groanings. ²⁷ And He who searches the hearts knows the Spirit’s mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Whatever our circumstances, the Holy Spirit intercedes and helps us pray as we seek HIS will.

The Holy Spirit is a paraclete. Paraclete refers to the Holy Spirit Who comes along the side of the Christian to console, comfort, intercessor, advocate or helper.  There are times and situations which we encounter and we just do not know what to do. That is when we have to completely rely upon GOD to intercede in our behalf.

Waiting on GOD to intercede for us may not be what GOD desires for us. HE may want us to learn from our circumstance or situation. On-the-other-hand GOD may demonstrate HIS power to us in the circumstance or situation as we reveal our faith in HIM.

I recall many years ago, we were driving on a by-pass to go see Christmas lights. We were on a two-way road. There were about five cars coming toward us when the person in about the fourth car decided to pass the car in front of him. The car was headed directly toward us. I recall that I prayed and said, “LORD what do I do!” The answer was “Nothing!” And the approaching car went around us on my right side along the shoulder of the road. I looked in my rearview mirror and it seemed that car just went back into the same slot it had come from. It was like the hand of GOD had control of that car. There was the most peaceful calm I think I have ever been in while that was taking place. It was the hand of GOD at work. My wife asked me, “Why did they do that?” I said, “to keep from hitting us.” It seemed that we were in a perfect calm surrounded by peace. It was the presence of GOD.

The Holy Spirit comes to our aid in our weakness. The Holy Spirit knows the will of GOD and intercedes accordingly. GOD’S will is accomplished.

We, as Christians, need a teaching lesson in trusting GOD. GOD uses situations and circumstances to teach HIS children so they will build the right relationship with HIM.

Can we trust the leadership and guidance of the Holy Spirit? Yes! Why?

The Holy Spirit is in complete unity with GOD and HIS will because HE “intercedes for us with unspoken groanings.”

There are three groanings in the Bible:

Romans 8:22-23 - ²² For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now.

 ²³ And not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the first fruits—we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.

The third groan comes from the Holy Spirit as HE “intercedes for us with unspoken groanings” as given in our scripture.

HE longs for the day when the will of GOD will be done on earth as it is done in Heaven.

Why can Christians rely upon the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit understands the mind of GOD “searches our hearts” and HE knows the will of GOD. As the Holy Spirit searches our hearts, HE knows how our will compares to the will of GOD. When we seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit, HE searches our hearts to reveal and clarify our motives in light of GOD’S will.

As we seek GOD in prayer, the Holy Spirit searches our hearts. King David wrote in Psalm 139:23-24:

Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my concerns.
²⁴ See if there is any offensive^[g] way in me;
lead me in the everlasting way.

Again, in Psalm 26:2-3 King David wrote:

Test me, Lord, and try me;
examine my heart and mind.
³ For Your faithful love is before my eyes,
and I live by Your truth.

When we earnestly seek the will of GOD, we can adjust our decisions according to what is revealed to us as HIS Children. Why? Because the Holy Spirit is in complete unity with the will of GOD, intercedes for us and searches our hearts so we can know and do the will of GOD.

Let’s read Romans 8:28-30:

²⁸ We know that all things work together^[m] for the good^[n] of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. ²⁹ For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. ³⁰ And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified.

Here we have to be careful. Things are not working but “GOD” is in all things, working out the best solution for those who in HIS foreknowledge will become HIS Children through faith in JESUS. Does GOD’S foreknowledge predestine those who will become born-again Christians? GOD made humans with the freedom to choose.  But HE also guides every human to a point of either accepting or rejecting JESUS as his or her Savior. Every person has the freedom to choose. GOD’S desire is for every person to live according to HIS Plan and purpose.

How does GOD call? It is through the Holy Spirit.

If you are a Christian, GOD called you and has a plan and purpose for your life while you remain upon earth. That purpose can be very simple such as giving a cup of cold water to those who thirst but the key is that whatever GOD has called you to do, it is vital to HIM.

Let’s read Romans 8:31-32:

The Believer’s Triumph

³¹ What then are we to say about these things?
If God is for us, who is against us?
³² He did not even spare His own Son
but offered Him up for us all;
how will He not also with Him grant us everything?

As a born-again believer through faith in JESUS, we are victorious. Since we are GOD’S Son or Daughter “who is against us?” Born-again Christians are to live victorious because JESUS paid the ultimate price to pay in full for the sins of all who place their faith in HIM. Born-again Christians no longer have eternal death hanging over their heads due to unforgiven sin but reign victorious with JESUS.

Does that mean born-again Christians do not sin? They do sin but they confess their sins as the scripture directs us according to 1 John 1:5-10:

⁵ Now this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him. ⁶ If we say, “We have fellowship with Him,” yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing^[c] the truth. ⁷ But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. ⁸ If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say, “We don’t have any sin,” we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

Born-again Christians sin and they are compelled to confess their sins. When Christians try to hide their sins, it gives opportunity for Satan to wage spiritual war against them. Confession takes it from the Christian and places it into the hands of JESUS, whose shed blood cleanses through washing.

GOD does not want HIS Children to carry the burden of sin on their shoulders because JESUS paid it all. GOD’S desire is for HIS Children to live victorious upon earth and obediently serve HIM as HE directs through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

So, when we encounter circumstance and situations in life rather than saying, “why me” to saying “Father, what are YOU wanting to teach me?”

Blessings!!!