Come Holy Spirit!

I awoke this morning to the sound of strong gusts of wind which scratched branches across the tile roof.  The trees swished in unison as the breeze fluttered the leaves, almost like the noise of running water.  It reminded me of the words of Jesus in John 3:8:  "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."  God employs no wind generator to make the breeze blow, just like He needs no wave machine to control the tides.  The sound of the wind and the visible effects are obvious, but the source and substance of wind remains unseen.

Jesus compares wind to the Holy Spirit and His influence on the life of a Christian.  While a tree is forced to move due to the power of the wind which overcomes the pull of gravity, the Holy Spirit will not make a man do anything.  God doesn't just want to move our limbs but our thoughts, attitudes, and desires.  He may seek to move us from one place in the world to another.  Of course there are many who move, but their movement is without direction and purpose.  Many people seek to do the works of God, yet refuse to believe in Christ whom God has sent.  They are constant motion and movement but because they are not filled by the Holy Spirit they are aimless.  God's work is an inner work.  Man tends to focus on externals while God looks at the heart.  An inner work will have evidence outwardly as we remain yielded to the Spirit.

The tree cannot dictate how the wind will blow, and likewise a man cannot dictate the movement of the Holy Spirit.  Man cannot make the wind blow how it pleases him.  But man can choose to obey as the Holy Spirit empowers and directs him.  God has this remarkable grace which allows men to call upon God according to His will and frees God to do what He desires.  If we being evil know how to give good gifts to our children, how much more will God give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?  Amazing that God would choose to make men a part of this process!  God could do it all by himself without faulty, feeble men, but He has placed this glory in earthen vessels so the "excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us" (2 Cor. 4:7).  Are we willing to pray God would send His Spirit in power upon us?  Are we willing to speak, move, and act in obedience to Him?  My prayer is summed up in the old song:
 

Shine, Jesus shine

Fill this land with the Father's glory

Blaze, Spirit blaze

Set our hearts on fire

Flow, river flow

Flood the nations with grace and mercy

Send forth your word

Lord and let there be light.