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to act as though they are. They apparently think that if they worry the Lord long enough
they will get the answer they want. This is completely unworthy and more than that, it
can be dangerous.
Israel kept complaining and worrying God for flesh food when they grew tired of
God's wonderful provision of the manna. The Psalmist's comment is:
"He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul" (Psa. 106: 15),
and so the answer to their prayer, instead of bringing them blessing brought misery in its
place.
Let us never forget that, however poor our praying may be, the Holy Spirit is always
interceding for us "according to the will of God" (Rom. 8: 26, 27) and on top of this,
the Lord Jesus constantly intercedes for us too (Rom. 8: 34). In what a strong position
we are then, not that this should make us careless and indifferent in our prayer life; rather
it should stimulate us to "pray always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit"
(Ephesians 6: 18) and so "continue in prayer and watch in the same with thanksgiving"
(Col. 4: 2).
(9) The Holy Spirit can quicken the memory (John 14: 26). How often we fail
because we forget! There is not one of us that does not need reminding from time to time
of the exceeding grace of God that has chosen, saved us and called us to a heavenly
calling and destiny that is beyond our dreams and desserts.
(10) The Holy Spirit works in the believer to produce His fruit. This fruit of the Spirit
is described in Gal. 5: 22:
"But the fruit of the Spirit, is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness,
faith, meekness, temperance (self-control)."
This nine-fold fruit is Christ-likeness in practice that brings glory to God in our
daily witness. Fruit bearing or truth in practice is the subject of the Lord's teaching in
John 15: 1-8 and He sums it up by saying:
"Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples"
(John 15: 8).
May we not disappoint Him!
(11) The Holy Spirit abides in the believer for always:
"And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may
abide with you for ever."
". . . . . for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you" (John 14: 16, 17).
In past studies we noted that in O.T. times the Holy Spirit only came upon men to
achieve some special object or mission. He was not an abiding possession at that time.