Ears To Hear # 93

“GROANINGS”
WHY DO WE GROAN? 
(Romans 8:28)

         Have you heard a lot of groaning in the world recently? The definition for groaning is: to utter a deep moan (a low, prolonged sound of pain or grief.) It is indication of pain, grief, or annoyance. To groan, is to emit a sound resembling a moan…like the sound of wind in the trees.
         While you read this, please remember Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His Purpose.”

WORD STUDY

         I have heard that one word from God can change a person’s life. Many of you have already done “word studies” through a church program.
         But, when the Holy Spirit impresses one word personally on your heart, have you learned to follow its trail through the Bible for yourself? Using the accumulation of knowledge stored up in you, do you seek what the Lord may be revealing to you as you sit quietly in His presence… desiring to know something new. And, desiring His purpose for giving you that word?

EVANGELISTIC TEMPLE NORTH

         The first time I saw Happy Christians was the Sunday I attended Evangelistic Temple North in Humble, Texas. It was one of those (as I use to call them) “different” churches. Very different from my Baptist upbringing.
         As a child I wondered so many times why Christians didn’t look “happy”. With Christ in my heart, I knew we had every reason to be happy. I had not seen much of this in my church and knew I had found a pearl of great price as I soaked in the joy on every face in that choir.
         We know that the Joy of the Lord is our Strength. This is True! So, I constantly sought the Joy of the Lord for many years. But, there is an outward easy JOY, when things seem to be going right for us, and there is a JOY beyond measure when God reveals a truth that is new to us in His Word, and by the Spirit, when we wait upon Him in His Presence.

WHY DO WE “GROAN” LORD?

         For many years I casually and partially read the Bible. Probably because I wasn’t taught about the Holy Spirit, I never saw Him, or His name in the Bible.
         Not, until today, was I able to accept and begin to understand the purpose and reasons for “groaning.”
         Groaning seems so undignified, unladylike, unmannerly, not accepted by society, even uncouth, and embarrassing to be around. It reminds us of people who complain a lot and that is not the way we want to see ourselves. So we try not to “groan”outloud in the natural.

SPIRITUAL “GROAN”

         However, there is a spiritual groan that reaches into the depth of our belly. This is where we meet the Greatest Groaner of all time; the Holy Spirit. He helps our infirmities (weaknesses) for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with “GROANINGS” which cannot be uttered. (Romans 8:26).

CALLED TO PRAYER

         Not only does the world seem to be going to hell in a hand basket (whatever that means), but serious prayer requests are coming our way. Our heart begins to “groan” for individuals in our life who need to be rescued from the forces of darkness. We feel helpless. We are embarrassed to come before God with a prayer that carries no faith. We know when faith comes and when it doesn’t. Yet, we desire to pray for our loved one with the Faith of God.
         So, what do we do? We “groan”.

WHEN WE UNDERSTAND

         When we read the Word and understand that even Paul groaned beyond measure for his kinsmen in Romans 9:2-3, we may realize that there is more to groaning than we realized. 
         Paul said, “I had great heaviness and continued sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ (in place of) for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.”
         His sorrow and desire for his family in the flesh was so deep that he was ready, driven to desperation, to see their salvation. He hurt so deeply for them, that he would have given the greatest thing he had to see them saved. He would have given up his own salvation…if they would receive Jesus.
         Now, that is deep! And, Praise God, Paul was not allow to do that.

SCRIPTURES THAT SPOKE TO ME

INNER LONGINGS

         WHY WE GROAN: 2 Corinthians 5:1-7. Our spirits are longing for our Heavenly Home where everything is Right…as it should be. The second reason is 2 Corinthians 5:5 because “We have been given the EARNEST of the Spirit.” The Spirit Himself, generates these “inner longings” within the believer which will be satisfied only when we see Christ face-to-face.
         “For we know that the whole creation “groaneth” and travaileth in pain until now.
         “And not only they (the whole creation), but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves “groan” within ourselves, waiting for the adoption…the redemption of our body.” (Romans 8:22-23).

WHY MUST WE BE SO HELPLESS?

         2 Corinthians 4:7-17 explains this and the purpose of our weakness. There is a Great Power placed inside each of us. But, if we ever think it is our own power, and not God’s…we will miss the mark.
         “We have this treasure (Power in Ministry) in earthen vessels, that the EXCELLENCY OF THE POWER may be of God and not ourselves.”

PATIENCE

         In the natural, no one really wants to “groan”. But, if it will get the job done, lead us to the end of our natural abilities to a place of our own helplessness, allow the Holy Spirit to intercede and “groan” for us, we will have the comfort of knowing that we have prayed according to the will of God.
         Then we are able to claim with all confidence, Romans 8:28.  “And we know that all  things are working together for our good because we know we love God and are called according to His purpose.”

I HESITATE TO STOP HERE

         I hesitate to stop here because God never leaves us at the place of “groaning”. His Word wants us to see that it is okay to groan…when it leads us to the Holy Spirit who will groan with us and for us.

PEOPLE IN DEPRESSION

         I think it is very likely that many who are in depression are resisting their need to “groan”; to take their need to the Father and accept the gift of the Greatest Groaner of all…God’s Holy Spirit. It’s okay to GROAN.

But, Please…not all the time. 
There is JOY that…Follows the Groan.
After we have humbled ourselves and Received His Power
At work in us…
It’s time to
REJOICE!

[Note from Editor: Before I finished typing this today, I turned the TV to the Angel Channel and heard the preaching of a lady I seldom see, but have admired for a long time. Her name is Anne Gimenez…and she was preaching these same scriptures. I thank God for this confirmation.]