Not Drops Or Dribbles

If you . . . know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!

Luke 11:13

Recently a newspaper ran a column describing the world’s greatest cheapskates. One man, for example, went grocery shopping with his wife. As she filled the cart with goods, he strolled over to the card section and selected a beautiful birthday card for her. Finding her among the pickles and relishes, he gave her the card, watched with joy while she read it, gave her a little hug—then returned the card to the rack!

That’s not the way the Lord gives.

Take the Holy Spirit, for example. The moment we receive Christ as Savior, the Father pours His Spirit into our hearts. It isn’t a drop or a dribble. Jesus compared the Holy Spirit to rivers of living water flowing from our hearts (John 7:38-39). We’re born again by the Spirit, indwelled by the Spirit, empowered by the Spirit, illumined by the Spirit, comforted by the Spirit, taught by the Spirit, filled with the Spirit, and sanctified by the Spirit.

How grateful we should be that God has given us His Spirit, and that Jesus—by His Spirit—will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

Jesus, fill now with Thy Spirit hearts that full surrender know

That the streams of living water from our inner self may flow.

MARY MAXWELL