What subtlety there is
with the SPIRIT of GOD. How still and precious HE comes to
aid and abet the FATHER'S will in our lives. Any among us,
with even marginal IQ and discernment, could make it in
psychology, because men's ways are so predictable, but not so
with GOD. The LORD defies the psyche of fallen man, and is
infinite in HIS transcendence. "For
MY thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways MY ways, saith
the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so
are MY ways higher than your ways, and MY thoughts than your thoughts."
Do we, like Elijah, miss GOD completely on occasion?
Beware of being deafened by the concussion of terrestrial
muskets. In the midst of the battle's smoke and fire, the
COMMANDER speaks calmly to the soldier who will not bolt in
panic and retreat. "And he said,
go forth, and stand upon
the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and
a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces
the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and
after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the
earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was
not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice."
The SPIRIT of GOD comes riding on the whisper of the wind and is
met by those who shun the firestorms of natural life, listening
carefully at HIS gates (cf. Proverbs 8:34).
HE is not gawked of the eye, but gleaned by the ear.
"The wind bloweth where it listeth, and
thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it
cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of
the SPIRIT. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can
these things be?"
How many deserve Nicodemus as a nickname, walking about downwind
of the SPIRIT and yet dumb to HIS presence? Take swift
advantage of the warm high of the gospel, with its light breezes
of grace and abundant SON-shine ... for the low pressure of
eternity gathers, and with it, the gale of judgment.
Man is demanding,
overbearing, insistent, boisterous, binding, religious ... the
SPIRIT of GOD is gracious, gentle, inviting, tender, liberating,
irreligious. "Now the LORD is
that SPIRIT: and where the SPIRIT of the LORD is, there is
liberty."
Have you heard the
SPIRIT?
"And
the SPIRIT and the bride say, come. And let him that heareth say,
come. And let him that is athirst come. And
whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."