1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

— 1 John 2:1-2

Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.

— Hebrews 7:25

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.

34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

— Romans 8:26, 33-34

7 On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

8 Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.

— Psalm 62:7-8

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

The marvelous merging of Christ’s roles as Priest and King is for the complete salvation for God’s children’s. Christ works on our behalf, standing before God as our advocate, and extinguishing Satan’s accusations. His Spirit prays for us with groaning too deep for words. God sees where we are and how we struggle, and He knows what we need most. Jesus stands as our representative before God. Jesus also is King – rightfully so. He rules with absolute wisdom, unlimited compassion, and sinless perfection. Even when God’s ways do not make sense to us, we can trust that He rules rightly.

As we trust God as the Sovereign One in our life, we trust God for eternity’s glory than for today’s battles. Christ is King, reigning over us. Promises about eternity offer hope for today. Believing what God declares requires faith. That faith does not rely on blind optimism but stands on settled truth. Pouring out the deepest longings to God in prayer, filling our minds with God’s permeating truth on our lives, and seeking the Holy Spirit’s power to stand on God’s truth prepare us to press on unto our path to eternal glory.