Saturday, May 26, 2012
Read John 16:12-22. "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you" (John 16:12-15).
JOY THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT
Tomorrow we celebrate Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It is the third great festival of the Church year. Do you meet Pentecost with the same joy and celebration that you have at Christmas and Easter? Pentecost is every bit as joyful as both the other festivals, for the Spirit is every bit as necessary for our salvation. It is the Spirit who makes all that Jesus has said in our devotions this week a reality.
We too are not able to bear the things that Jesus has taught without the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is still the one who glorifies Jesus in our hearts and enables us to truly see Him and know Him by faith. The Spirit is the one who reveals everything to us about our Lord and fills us with the joy of our Salvation in Christ. The Spirit declares to us everything that the Father and the Son together have for us, all that they have done for us, and all that they continue to do for us.
He does that all through the word of Scripture which He has caused to be written for our learning. Therefore let us continue in the word, find our joy and pleasure in His word, and pray for the Spirit to fill us with all joy and peace in believing.
Holy Ghost, with light divine Shine upon this heart of mine;
Chase the shades of night away, Turn the darkness into day.
Let me see my Savior's face, Let me all His beauties trace;
Show those glorious truths to me Which are only known to Thee.
Holy Ghost, with joy divine Cheer this saddened heart of mine;
Yield a sacred, settled peace, Let it grow and still increase.
Holy Spirit, all divine, Dwell within this heart of mine;
Cast down every idol-throne, Reign supreme, and reign alone.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 234:1-2, 4-5)
