It pleases and blesses the Father’s heart when we ask for the Holy Spirit.
Such an act communicates to God that He is the one we want… the one we're after.
Think about it.
There are a lot of things you and I could be asking for… and a lot of reasons why we could be asking for them.
But who is asking for this one thing?
Who is hungry to walk with a greater awareness and consciousness of God?
Who thirsts to be clothed with power from on high in order to be a witness for the Lord?
In the same way imperfect parents long to give good things to their children, the Father deeply desires to give the Spirit He loves to those that want Him.
When we desire God the Holy Spirit, it plays a melody on the heart strings of God the Father.
Luke 11:13 proves this by saying, “If you then, being evil, 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?”
How much more will…
Dear reader, this is something the Father longs to do.
Not only does He long to do it, His longing is in abundance and He’s willing… and He’s simply waiting to be asked.
This reminds me of the time when God appeared to Solomon in a dream shortly after Solomon was anointed king.
While dreaming, the Lord said to Solomon, “Ask what you wish Me to give you” (see 1 Kings 3:5).
How would you respond to such a statement?
Don’t be too quick to dismiss this…
Imagine that the One who knows no impossibility (see Matthew 19:26)… the very author of life itself (see Colossians 1:16)… the One who knows all and fills all (see Ephesians 1:23)… and the One in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (see Colossians 2:3) comes to YOU… and like a genie released from the captivity of his bottle… He invites you to ask Him what it is you wish Him to give to you.
This would be a good place to insert the ‘mind blown’ emoji 🤯 .
Granted, God is not a genie in a bottle.
However, He does desire to grant the requests of those that love Him and are His friends (see John 15:7).
This is why I believe Solomon is given such a divine opportunity.
Prior to his dream, the author makes it clear that Solomon wasn’t a perfect man, but he loved the Lord and walked in a manner similar to his father, David (see 1 Kings 3:3).
In other words, I believe that Solomon could be trusted with this moment…
Not only that, this statement from the Lord was ultimately about to reveal the meditations of Solomon’s heart.
And truthfully… what we would ask for would ultimately reveal ours.
There’s nothing more that I want right now than God.
I long to be clothed with the resting presence of the Holy Spirit.
I want to look more like Jesus.
I want to walk with an overwhelming awareness of God.
I want to know Him more and I want to have power to demonstrate the gospel for the sake of others and for the glory of His name.
In other words, I’m not wanting more of God for me… I want Him for them.
Likewise, Solomon’s response did not place him at the center. Rather, he asked for an understanding heart to properly lead God’s people (see 1 Kings 3:9).
In other words, he wanted to do it right… He wanted to honor the Lord.
As a result, the Lord granted Solomon a wise and discerning heart along with all that he did not ask for (see 1 Kings 3:12-14).
Because Solomon did not seek his own gain, the Lord blessed him greatly.
It touched the Father’s heart.
In the same way, when we ask the Father for the Holy Spirit so that we might have and give away what it is the world is longing to experience, we touch His heart.
He is moved by such a request and He is eager to grant it.
- Brian Connolly, Faith Like Birds Ministries
Check out the previous blog!
Comments