Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our infirmities.
~ Romans 8:26
Except for Christ’s bearing our infirmities and “our sins in his own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24), I know of no greater or more tender instance of divine love than when it is written, “Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities.” (Romans 8:26) … You know, my brothers, what it is to be dull and lifeless there (in prayer); to groan for a word, and yet you cannot find it; to wish for a word, and yet the very wish is weak; to long to have desires, and yet all the desire you have is a desire that you may be able to desire.
But when the Spirit has helped our infirmities, how we have prayed! Why, there have been times when you and I have so grasped the knocker of the gate of mercy, and have let it fall with such tremendous force, that it seemed as if the very gate itself shook and tottered. There have been seasons when we have laid hold upon the angel, have overcome heaven by prayer, and have declared we would not let Jehovah Himself go unless He would bless us. (Genesis 32:24-26) We have, and we say it without blasphemy, moved the arm that moves the world. We have brought down upon us the eyes that look upon the universe. All this we have done, not by our own strength, but by the might and by the power of the Spirit. Seeing He has so sweetly enabled us, though we have so often forgotten to thank Him; seeing that He has so gracious assisted us, though we have often taken all the glory to ourselves instead of crediting it to Him; must we not admire His love, and must it not be a fearful sin indeed to grieve the Holy Spirit by whom we are sealed?
Spurgeon, Charles H., Spurgeon on the Holy Spirit, 156-57
