“… the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing of birds is come.” Song of Solomon 2:11,12
Dear Ones:
The phrase, “…the time of singing of birds is come,” is a beautiful proclamation. It expresses that which is generally lovely to hear, and at the same time expresses a certain delight, a freedom of spirit, and an announcement. In this case, the bird’s songs announce a new beginning, one that has great promise, and is brought about by great power, though nature is quite silent to us, with regard to trees and smaller plants growing, putting forth their leaves, and buds for the flowers. That which we often do not realize is that this is the natural thing that must happen. This is as it should be. In addition to this, because of the silence, we fail to grasp the enormity of the power involved in bringing about this transformation. And again, this IS as it should be. One other characteristic of the spring, when we look at plants and animals alike, not to mention the rivers and streams that are being fed by the melting snow of the heights, is that everything is “full.” Trees are full of sap, rivers are full of water, and the earth is filled with the glory of God. So, is it not the “natural” thing that man should be filled with the Spirit of God? Did not the Lord Jesus die on the cross that man should be filled with His Life-giving Spirit?
How important is it that every believer should be filled with the Spirit, and what is meant by this fullness? Nicodemus had to be born of the Spirit. Jesus would say, “…It is the Spirit that quickens, (…or makes alive); the flesh profits nothing.” (Jn. 6:63) In the Old Testament, we find the Spirit coming at different times, and in different circumstances, on individuals, that they should accomplish certain tasks, or BE what they were called to be. In the book of Proverbs, we find written: “Turn you at My reproof: behold, I will pour out my Spirit unto you, I will make known My words unto you.” (Prov. 1:23) We find also the realization of Joel’s prophecy, declared by Peter, on the day of Pentecost: “…it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh.” (Acts 2:17) Lastly, the Apostle Paul writes: “Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess: but BE filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18) So, how do we sum up the ministry of the Spirit, what it means to be filled with Him, and then to grasp the need and possibilities of being filled with Him increasingly?
We begin with faith in God, based upon the truth. Faith is essential to every consideration of the Spirit’s ministry, because the basis of faith is the truth of God, IN God. The basis for the Spirit’s ministry so clearly revealed by God’s truth: “…not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit.” (Zech. 4:6) To begin with God in any endeavor is to begin with Christ, by His Spirit. Christ is the Alpha and Omega of all, the beginning and the end. We come therefore, looking unto Jesus, trusting in Him fully, at the same time, relying wholly upon the Spirit. The second thing we must grasp, is that with regard to God’s promises, God reveals to us that He is WILLING to “give” His Spirit for every need. The promise is that He WILL pour out His Spirit upon the believer, strengthen, lead, direct, and anoint him afresh for every task, filling him for every need. Thirdly, when Jesus died on Calvary, He did so to consistently fill the believer. Like the spring, which NATURALLY fills trees with sap, and rivers with water, so God desires and wills to fill the believer with His life and power. The spring has come, and the time for singing his here, because God WILL fill the believer today with His Spirit, IF he will trust Him.
Dear Father, fill us with the vision and essence of Thy fullness in Christ by the Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad