Thus in dealing with all such questions the chief concern is this: "only believe" and rest in the faithfulness of God. Hold fast this one principle. God has given us a promise that He will fill us with His Spirit. It is His work to make His promise an accomplished fact. Thank God for the promise even as you would thank Him for the fulfillment of it. In the promise, God has already pledged Himself to you. Rejoice in Him and in His faithfulness. Be not held back by any questions whatever. Set your heart on what God will do and on Him from whom the blessing must come. The result will be certain and glorious.
More of The Spirit
It is sad that so many in the Church are content with things just as they are. They have no desire to know more of this seeking for the reality of the Spirit's power. They point to the present purity of doctrine, to the prevailing earnestness of preaching, to the generous gifts which are made for the maintenance of religious works and the enterprises of philanthropy. They look to the interest manifested in education and missions, and they say that it is better to give God thanks for the good we see around us. Such people would condemn the language of Laodicea and would refuse to say that they were rich and increased in goods and had need of nothing.
Yet there are some traces of this spirit in what they say. They do not consider the injunction to be filled with the Spirit. They have forgotten the command to prophesy to the Spirit and say: "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live" (Ezekiel 37:9). When you speak of these things, you will receive little encouragement from them. They do not understand what you mean. They believe indeed in the Holy Spirit, but their eyes have not been opened to the fact that more of the Spirit is the one thing needed for the Church.
There are others who will agree with you when you speak of this need and yet will really give you even less encouragement. They have often thought and prayed over the matter, but no benefit has accrued from their effort. They have made no real progress. They bid you to look to the Church of earlier times and say that it was not much different than it is now.
These people belong to the generation of the ten spies who were sent to spy out Canaan. The land if glorious, but the enemy in possession is too strong. We are too weak to overcome them. Lack of consecration and of willingness to surrender everything for this blessing is the root of the unbelief and has made them incapable of exercising the courage of Caleb when he said: "Let us go up at once, and posses it; for we are well able to overcome it" (Numbers 13:30).
If you would be filled with the Spirit, do not allow yourself to be held back by such reasonings. Only believe and strengthen yourself in the omnipotence of God. Do not say, "Is God able?" Say rather, "God IS able." The God who was able to raise Christ from the dead is still mighty in the midst of His people and is able to reveal His divine life with power in your heart.
Hear His voice saying to you as to Abraham: "I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect" (Genesis 17:1). Set your heart without distraction on what God has said that He will do and then on the omnipotence which is prepared to bring the promise to accomplishment.
Pray to the Father that He would grant you to be strengthened with might by His Spirit. Adore Him who is able to do for us exceeding abundantly above all that we ask and think, and give Him the glory.
Let faith in the omnipotence of God fill your soul and you will be full of the assurance that, however difficult, however improbable, however impossible it may seem, God can fill us with His Spirit. Only believe.
~Andrew Murray~
(continued with # 42 - "He Will Work It In You")
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