Section 14
will be wonderful because we have never seen it. Hence, it is a real hope.
Verse 25 continues, "But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly expect it through en durance." So many expectant saints have asked, "Lord, how long? Another ten years? Another generation? How long, Lord?" This is a test to our endurance.
The Helping of the Spirit
"And in like manner the Spirit also joins in to help us in our weakness; for we do not know for what we should pray as is fitting, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." What does the phrase "in like manner" mean? I believe that it has an all- inclusive meaning. "In like manner" includes all the points of the foregoing verses—expecting, eagerness, groaning, endurance, hope, and so forth. While we are groaning, the Holy Spirit also is groaning. While we are expecting, He is ex pecting. While we are hoping and enduring, He is hoping and enduring. Whatever we are, He is also the same. "In like manner" the Spirit joins in to help us. What a comfort this is! If we are weak, He apparently is weak also, although actu ally He is not. He appears to be weak for the sake