“Do Not Grieve The Holy Spirit!”

“Do Not Grieve The Holy Spirit!”
An artist wanted to paint a picture of Christ. He saw somebody and said to himself, “Christ must have looked like this man.” He used the man as a model for his painting. The painting was a great work of art that won the admiration of many.
Some years later he decided to do a painting of the devil. As he moved around he met somebody who for him was a true reflection of the devil. He used the man as his model. While he was painting he got into conversation with the man. To his shock, it turned out that it was the same person who posed for the Christ painting some years back.
He asked the man what had happened to bring such a transformation from a Christlike person to a satanlike person. The man told him that the Spirit of God left him.
We have just celebrated the descent of the Holy Spirit. It was just a commemoration. We already have the Holy Spirit. But when we fall into error, be sure the Holy Spirit is not with us at that moment.
The children of Israel angered the Lord by the waters of Meribah and rebelled against the Spirit of God (Ps.106:33). Despite that in his love and mercy God redeemed Israel, “they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy…”(Is.63:10-19).
It becomes evident that the Holy Spirit has left us each time our words and/or deeds contradicts the commands of the Lord. David recognised this and is his prayer of confession he asked God, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me…”(Ps.51:10-11ff).
My friend, as we have received the Holy Spirit, let us not cause God to turn his face away from us. Rather, let us pray like David so that the Lord will make his face shine upon us and be gracious to us.
Prayer: Lord, look down from heaven and have compassion on me. Do not take your Holy Spirit from me. Amen!
Welcome back to a new working week. Have a blessed day and week! Peace be with you!