11/06/2019
God chooses us for His own, and by so doing He pours Himself over us. Even during those times when we blink, and we momentarily lose sight of Him; His Holy Spirit keeps flowing over us in abundance. Not only over us, but over our children, and descendants... such is the mercy and grace of God that He pours out on us through Jesus Christ.
“For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.”
Isaiah 44:3 ESV
Have you ever watched a flight of ducks drop out of the air after a long trip, and land in a pond? They glide across the surface of the water with cupped wings, and outstretched feet. Then, once they have settled into the cool water, they begin to joyfully dive beneath it, come up ruffling their feathers, quacking, and letting the water roll in large round drops off their backs. The thrill of the water seems to be their greatest joy, and they share it among themselves in constant chatter. When God pours His Spirit over us we feel the same way... and in our great joy we call out to our children and grandchildren to come and join us.
“This one will say, 'I am the Lord 's,' another will call on the name of Jacob, and another will write on his hand, 'The Lord 's,' and name himself by the name of Israel."”
Isaiah 44:5 ESV
Our joy is infectious, and despite the long flight to this place where we remembered having met with Him before, we are instantly thrilled when we settle into Him once again. During the long hours when we felt we were flying alone, we were not... His Spirit was in us. Our wings beat the clear sky, but we always expected to find His provision, promise, and presence once more.
“Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him. For a people shall dwell in Zion, in Jerusalem; you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as he hears it, he answers you.”
Isaiah 30:18-19 ESV
So although the flights can be long, and we feel that we are beating the air with our own determination, and the strength of our own wings alone, it is God who strengthens us always, and provides us with the hope of reaching a distant pond filled with wild rice, and cool water. The source of the force which drives us onward is made evident by the presence of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit who abide within us. Call out, and He will certainly hear our cry, and reveal His glorious pond to us...
“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.”
Psalms 145:18-19 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for being with us always. Thank you Lord for flying at our side during the long journeys, and pilgrimages, in which we so often feel we are traveling alone. Teach us to call out to you in our exhaustion, and when we feel lost in the clouds that blind us. Help us Holy Father to trust in our compass... Jesus Christ, and in our sextant, which is your Holy Spirit. During the darkest of nights, show us the stars, and in the silence of the moonlight, guide us to our destination... your glimmering reflection on the water below. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you who has chosen us to be your pilgrims. Great are you who strengthens us with your promises and provision. Praised be your name for offering your Son Jesus that we would be made pure and righteous by His blood, and readied to dine at your table. Wondrous are you and the reflection of your mercy and grace upon us. We worship you Father, and prostrate ourselves before you... taught to honor you by the Holy Spirit that enlightens us. This is the day that you have made, and we will rejoice and be glad in it. We will rise from the waters of baptism, and revel in this time with you. All glory is yours Father, now and forevermore.
Rich Forbes