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The Groan of God

Entering into the intercession of the Holy Spirit


  • Definition of the word "groan": to make a deep inarticulate sound in response to pain or despair / to utter a deep moan indicative of pain, grief, or annoyance / to make a harsh sound under sudden or prolonged strain / a low, mournful sound uttered in pain or grief

Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father (Mark 16:19) upon His throne of unapproachable light (1 Timothy 6:16; 1 John 1:5) and limitless glory (Psalm 29; Psalm 102:15-16; Isaiah 42:8), and it’s by His word that all things hold together (Colossians 1:17). “Because I, the LORD, do not change, you descendants of Jacob have not been destroyed.” Malachi 3:6 (BSB). Because Christ is alive, having paid the eternal debt of our sin, we have an everlasting and living hope. But, despite God being enthroned in victory, His heart still groans out of love and righteous anger for His people who are suffering, and a creation not yet redeemed.

A House for the Lord


Because of Jesus, God’s own Spirit now dwells within us; we are temples of the living God and a place the Holy Spirit calls home.

  • Our calling and our assignment are to honestly and unceasingly provide a pleasing sacrifice unto the Lord; Christ is the only acceptable offering we can give to God (Isaiah 53:10-11).

  • 2 Corinthians 2:14, “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere.”

  • The only offering that is pleasing to God is Himself–nothing else is worthy, for all fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), for God is holy (1 Samuel 2:2). Thus, God provided for our sacrifice through Christ’s cross, which we partake in by the offering-up of our bodies through faith (Romans 12:1). In Christ, we are living sacrifices, a life that says, “God, Your body was beaten and bloodied for my sake, so take my soul and make it a pleasing dwelling place for Your Spirit.” God chose us–these clay phylacteries–to make His home in.

David wanted to build God a house (1 Chronicles 17:1-2), but God’s response