02/17/2020
Do we long for the Holy Spirit? As new Christians, while going about seeking a deeper understanding and comfort in God’s Word, do we realize that God has already sent His Holy Spirit to us for just this purpose? David called out in Psalm 119 for Understanding and comfort too, and just as it is with us in our early days of faith, he really doesn’t know what to call Him. In due time, we come to know His name... Holy Spirit.
“Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
My eyes long for your promise; I ask, "When will you comfort me?"”
Psalms 119:73, 82 ESV
As we read Psalm 119 we hear David’s longing for a deeper understanding of God’s Word, and all it brings us. He also calls out to God to fulfill the promise of His comfort. As Christians we come to realize that God has sent the answer to both of these requests in the form of His Holy Spirit.
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
John 14:26 KJV
David’s Psalm is divided into 22 sections according to the Hebrew alphabet, and touches on many ways that he is seeking God through His Word; in two specific sections we hear David calling out for the Holy Spirit, even though he doesn’t call Him by name. We read these in the verses associated with the letters Yodh (Ps 119:73), and Kaph (Ps 118:82).
What a gift we have been given. Jesus told us that He was going to ask that God, by His prayer, send a comforter to us...
“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;”
John 14:16 KJV
And indeed that comforter was given, and the Holy Spirit came...
“And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Acts 2:2-4 ESV
Today we long for the same understanding and comfort that David did, and we receive the same Holy Spirit that God sent in fulfillment to the prophesy of Isaiah, and the prayers of Jesus...
“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.”
Isaiah 11:1-2 ESV
So it is that we have received comfort and understanding, but we are given a great deal more as well. Through the Holy Spirit we bear much fruit...
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 ESV
And we are given many things, such as help in our prayers...
“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.”
Romans 8:26 ESV
The power and ability to witness to others...
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."”
Acts 1:8 ESV
We are given freedom from sin, and the world...
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
2 Corinthians 3:17 ESV
We are provided a new soft heart, and spirit...
“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”
Ezekiel 36:26 ESV
And we are given so much more, even truth, and a closer walk with the Lord, accompanied by a knowledge of things that are to come...
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”
John 16:13 ESV
So I ask again... “ Do we long for the Holy Spirit?” Or are we comfortable without Him, and want only those things that we lift up daily in our individual prayers? Do we want God to respond to our personal troubles, and needs alone, or do we long to receive this amazing and somewhat frightening, spiritual gift that Jesus has prayed for God to give us? Some of us will pray for this blessing in earnest, and receive the Spirit, but to actually receive the Holy Spirit our hearts must be in that prayer... are you ready to pray that prayer with all your heart? Are you prepared to say Amen to the prayer of Jesus?
Prayer:
Father, we thank you for the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of your Son Jesus, but we also thank you for your answer to His prayer that your Holy Spirit be provided us. Holy Father, remove our fear of joining so closely with you, and bring us to our knees as we pray for your Holy Spirit to be breathed onto us. This transformation of heart, and spirit, is so complete, and life changing, that it gives many of us pause. This is our commitment to you that truly reveals the fullness of love you desire... a love that is comprised of all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who sent His Son to redeem us, and His Holy Spirit to comfort, enlighten, and empower us. Great are you our God who breathed life into us, and your Holy Spirit onto us. Praised be your name for the love, and commitment you have shown us. Help us Father to love you in kind, and commit ourselves to you completely. Your love, mercy, and grace astound us, and yet your power often makes us quake; teach us to be at ease in your presence, and to take comfort in your Spirit. All glory is yours Father, and in your arms, and by your Holy Spirit, we long to bring you glory always. Hear our prayers Lord God, as we say Amen to the prayer of Jesus, and reach out to receive your Holy Spirit... our Comforter.
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 ESV
Rich Forbes