05/01/2021
We ask for the Holy Spirit when we come to believe, and when we feel his presence we rejoice, because we think we have received him in his entirety, but is there more yet to come? Are we missing a greater dispensation than what we received during our first encounter? Will God send His Holy Spirit to us in even greater portions, or frequency, if we ask Him?
“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!””
Luke 11:13 ESV
When we ask for sustenance, and God provides for us, it is always enough, and often more than we ask for. So it is easy to be satisfied with what we have received and not ask for more. It is easy to eat our morning porridge each day, and not ask for bacon, eggs, or biscuits, but if we do ask, then God is ready to give us more. It is the same with His Holy Spirit... He gives it to us as we are ready to receive it, and there is always more. We are God’s children, and it isn’t His desire that we be dressed in rags, which are just enough to cover us, or have exactly enough to eat so that it barely wards off starvation. No, He supplies our every need, and more... especially in the Spirit which abounds in Him.
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Philippians 4:19-20 ESV
We live in the time of the Holy Spirit, and in Him we are not only taught to pray, but He prays for us. He brings us understanding, and causes us to remember God’s Word, and the Gospel of Jesus. So isn’t it prudent that we ask for God to send Him to us as we begin our prayers, and shouldn’t we ask for more of Him as we grow in faith?
As I read my morning devotional today, I stopped at a couple of sentences written by Andrew Murray in the late 1800s. They caused me to think about the amazing impact that the Holy Spirit has on my life. I thought about the inspiration he gives me each morning as I write these devotionals, and the impact he has on others through me. It dawned on me that I asked God to send him each day when I begin my daily prayers, and how I asked that he be poured out on my family, friends, and all those around me. I thought about how I prayed for the Lord to heal, and how I felt the presence of His Spirit as I did, and I remembered all the times that he had stepped in to pray on my behalf in groans, and utterances, when I didn’t have the words to express myself. Listen to Murray as he writes...
“It dawned on me anew that the most important spiritual exercise of each day is to pray that God will send the Holy Spirit to us for our daily cries and needs. Without the Spirit, we can neither please God nor support others.” - Andrew Murray
We can become so accustomed to the Holy Spirit being within us, and in our lives, that we call for him without consciously thinking. We ask for understanding, but don’t think twice about where that understanding has come from, or we lay our hands on the sick, and pray in a spiritual language of moans, utterances, or tongues, as our heart pours itself out to God through His Spirit.
“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. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:26-28 ESV
So is our first encounter with the Holy Spirit enough, and do we know Him in his entirety following our initial encounter with him? The answer is no. It is our nature to begin as babes, and grow to maturity, bodily, in Christ, faith, and understanding, and it is also this way in relation to the Holy Spirit.
“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;”
Colossians 1:9-10 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Holy Word, your Son Jesus, and your Holy Spirit. Thank you Father for continuing our lessons in all of these so that we continue to grow in our maturity of faith, and understanding. Amazing is the power you give us through your Holy Spirit as we are kept within your will. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who desires us to increase in our faith, and belief in Jesus Christ, as your Holy Spirit leads us on. Praised be your name as we allow the Spirit to pray for us, and receive the power to heal and do the other things that Christ said we would come to do. Merciful are you who sent your Spirit to us, and have given us the ability to do the good, and righteous, things through him; things that bring life to the dead, guidance to the lost, and spiritual food to the starving. Wash us clean in the blood of Jesus, and perfect us in His image so that we will be worthy before you on the day of judgement. Until that day, Increase us in your spirit, our faith in Christ, and mature us in our obedience to your Word, and will.
Rich Forbes