It is Christ . . . who also makes intercession for us. . . . the Spirit . . . makes intercession for the saints . . . —Romans 8:34, 27
Do we need any more arguments than these to become intercessors-that Christ “always lives to make intercession” (Hebrews 7:25), and that the Holy Spirit “makes intercession for the saints”? Are we living in such a relationship with others that we do the work of intercession as a result of being the children of God who are taught by His Spirit? We should take a look at our current circumstances. Do crises which affect us or others in our home, business, country, or elsewhere, seem to be crushing in on us? Are we being pushed out of the presence of God and left with no time for worship? If so, we must put a stop to such distractions and get into such a living relationship with God that our relationship with others is maintained through the work of intercession, where God works His miracles.
Beware of getting ahead of God by your very desire to do His will. We run ahead of Him in a thousand and one activities, becoming so burdened with people and problems that we don’t worship God, and we fail to intercede. If a burden and its resulting pressure come upon us while we are not in an attitude of worship, it will only produce a hardness toward God and despair in our own souls. God continually introduces us to people in whom we have no interest, and unless we are worshiping God the natural tendency is to be heartless toward them. We give them a quick verse of Scripture, like jabbing them with a spear, or leave them with a hurried, uncaring word of counsel before we go. A heartless Christian must be a terrible grief to our Lord.
Are our lives in the proper place so that we may participate in the intercession of our Lord and the Holy Spirit?
______________________________________________________
Journal DJR
Good morning Lord, To that last question, the answer is, Sometimes yes, sometimes not so much. The first thing that came to mind was a case from yesterday where I felt a nudge to go see a friend who needs some encouragement … and I was “too busy” and dismissed it. Actually I said, “I’ll do it later,” I felt bad at the time and today’s reading amplified that. Then I remembered being an encouragement to four other friends in another venue last night … and felt better. So yesterday, some targets I hit, some I missed. I suppose it will always be like that??? Depending on how tight I am walking with you and hearing and seeing what Father wants (John 5:19)
It is true that you will “hit your targets” as you say, more and more as you walk closer and closer with me, more and more continuously during your days. It is also true that as that happens, you will see more and more things that you are missing. But guilt won’t weigh you down because you will get clearer and clearer that I love you and have ransomed you from all your misses and running amuck. Adventure with me. Let’s go adventuring into town today. You have a lunch scheduled … Let’s go there together and have an adventure. You have other appointments. Don’t let them be stressors. Let them be adventures. I really do like you and you are the only one that can reach into some of those places that I send you.
Click Image for John White's Original Vision For CO2's
