“For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:19
The Apostle Paul was a most remarkable man, and we discover why in His writings, and the testimony of Christ within him, and through Him to God and to those around him. However, he would probably not have been remembered in history were it not for one basic reason. He learned to be a very good, clean, faith-filled receiver of the goodness and greatness of God, with regard to the physical needs that God met in him, but also, and primarily, because of the measure of the Spirit of God which worked in him mightily.
Jesus had told His disciples that He had come so that His sheep, “…might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (Jn. 10:10) The man, Saul of Tarsus, on his way to Damascus, having been temporarily blinded by a light from heaven, was plunged into darkness for three days. So moved, and profoundly shaken, he could not eat or drink. He had come face to face with the Lord who had said to him, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.” (Acts 9:5) From that moment on, after receiving his sight and being baptized, Paul the Apostle became one who would not settle for anything less than all that Christ could be to him. He came to see that His God would supply all of his need, not only that which contributed to his physical existence, but spiritually, providing “the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” God would supply all of his need with regard to every aspect of his life, ministry, and work. But it would be the Spirit, the very Spirit of Christ, which he so desired to filled with, led by, kept and strengthened by. It would be the Spirit who would reveal Christ in him, and the things of God to him, which only the Spirit could teach. It would be by the Spirit that the calling of God would be realized, a ministry of life to the world, and the building up, and edifying, of the church. All would become possible by the Spirit, that Spirit of adoption, that Spirit which had come upon the Lord Jesus at His baptism, enabling Him first and foremost to have fellowship, or communion, with the Father. It would be by that Holy Spirit, that Eternal Spirit, that He would endure, and overcome the ordeal of the cross, to sit at the Father’s right hand. This Spirit was desired by Paul in fullest measure. Certainly he would remember how the Lord Jesus had said that the Father would give that which was good to those who asked Him, then adding later also, giving the Holy Spirit to those who asked Him. At Paul’s conversion, the chains fell off and his heart was free. The scales fell from his eyes and he saw, perceived, and became fully convinced that he had to have this Christ in His fulness, and this for every need for the glory of God.
So, how are we to pray, “…in such a time as this,” when we each have a calling from God? Are we to pray for “daily bread?” Yes, for we are to trust God for our daily needs, and the means by which we can provide for others. But, in praying for the honoring of the Father’s name, and the coming of His kingdom, are we not to pray for that blessed Spirit of wisdom and revelation (Eph. 3) by which we can see and understand spiritually, grasping the eternal truths of the Savior and Lord? If all that is truly spiritual and eternal is revealed by the Spirit according to the objective truth of Scripture, should we not pray for that “Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him?” And Secondly, should we not pray for His quickening, life-giving power and enablement, to walk in a manner worthy of Christ, overcoming the enemy, accomplishing His good and perfect will, His calling?
Dear Father, Abundantly supply the Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.