“Spirit of God, descend upon my heart,
wean it from sin, through all its pulses move.”
George Croly, 1854
With every beat of my heart, my blood nourishes every cell in my body. Likewise, with every beath of my heart, the Breath of God nourishes every corner of my soul.
I have always liked the hymn Come, Thou Almighty King (anonymous, published in 1753). Let’s focus on verse 3 and the Spirit:
“Come, holy Comforter,
thy sacred witness bear . . .”
The Holy Spirit bears witness? You bet!
Often, He witnesses through Scripture, making it personal:
All this, and more. His witness comforts me.
This week, I’m pondering my favorite Pentecost hymns, looking for the wisdom that speaks to my heart, year after year.
“Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove,
With all Thy quickening powers;
Kindle a flame of sacred love
In these cold hearts of ours.”
Isaac Watts, 1707
Hymn-writer Watts (>750 hymns < 75 years) put my heart condition to poetic verse. He diagnosed the state of my soul and prescribed the cure — more 300+ years ago.
Come Holy Spirit, transform my couch-potato lethargy into righteous action. Light a fire in and under me. Fill me with sacred love — love for You, love for others.
The Holy Spirit connects us to God and to each other.
1 Corinthians 12:13 (TLB)
Each of us is a part of the one body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But the Holy Spirit has fitted us all together into one body. We have been baptized into Christ’s body by the one Spirit, and have all been given that same Holy Spirit.
We are one in the Spirit, one in the Lord.
2 Samuel 23:2 (GW)
The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me.
His words were on my tongue.
The words of this Old Testament verse were spoken by David, but it’s happened to me too. When I’m at a loss for words (which isn’t often), I sometimes surprise myself with words I didn’t know to say. It can happen when I’m talking to God or when I’m face-to-face with another person. And sometimes I sense the Spirit saying, “Shush! Let Me do the talking.“
Let it be, Spirit of God. Your words are always better than mine.
Isaiah 30:21 (NASB)
Your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left.
The Holy Spirit guides our steps.
Right or left.
North or south.
True or false.
Yes or no.
Spirit of God, give me ears to hear. Teach me to follow Your instructions.
Isaiah 40:1-2 (MSG)
“Comfort, oh comfort my people,” says your God. “Speak softly and tenderly to Jerusalem, but also make it very clear that she has served her sentence, that her sin is taken care of—forgiven!”
The Holy Spirit is our Comforter.
“Thou of comforters the best,
thou the soul’s most welcome guest.”
Veni, sancte Spiritus
Trans., Edward Caswall, 1849
John 14:26 (MEV)
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.
The Counselor — in Greek paraklétos — means helper, comforter, advocate. Para—to the side of, klē—to call. The Holy Spirit is God-at-my-side, in my corner, answering my call.
Thank You, Lord God, for the Counselor. I need lots of help!
Job 38:25-27 (MSG)
Who do you suppose carves canyons
for the downpours of rain, and charts
the route of thunderstorms
That bring water to unvisited fields,
deserts no one ever lays eyes on,
Drenching the useless wastelands
so they’re carpeted with wildflowers and grass?
Who indeed? God.
“Living Water, freely-flowing,
Fount of gladness, life-bestowing,
Holy Spirit, O draw nigh.”
Unknown author, published 1894
Rain water brings dry land to life.
Living Water brings dry souls to life.
Old Testament prophecy foretells New Testament (and present day) reality:
Ezekiel 36:25-26 (VOICE)
I will sprinkle you with clean water, and you will be clean. I will wash away all of your dirtiness, and you will be clean and pure, free from the taint of idols. I will plant a new heart and new spirit inside of you.
Rain on me, Lord God. Clean me up, wash away my sin. Fill me with a new spirit — with Your Spirit, in Jesus’ name.
