I find myself feeling especially alone from time to time even though I am surrounded by my friends. A chill comes over my heart. It not a good feeling! My mood sinks. I get edgy, critical, and without that joie d'vivre that makes the sunshine brighter, the coffee better, and tomorrow more hopeful. Some of you are thinking that I should take meds, right? Experience has taught me that when this happens to me, it is not emotional. It is a spiritual problem; God's way of letting me feel a twinge of 'pain' before I wound myself or another too badly. By withdrawing the sweetness of the Spirit, He's letting me know that there is something in my life that needs to be addressed - unforgiveness, selfishness, prayerlessness - or some other sin that is grieving His heart. The Holy Spirit does not abandon me, but He does fall silent and I feel it.
The Bible tells Believers that they must live in a way that honors God's Presence in them. If they do not, they bring sorrow to the Lord. Take a look. "Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted. Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:29-32, The Message) Isn't that amazing? You and I, just puny human being, are capable of breaking the Father's heart.
When we take on the ungodly ways of the world in which we live, He grieves for us, knowing that what we are doing will only bring regret and sorrow. So He lets us know! First convicting us, speaking to our conscience, and failing to get our attention; then withdrawing the fellowship of the Spirit. For those who have enjoyed living near to God's heart, that is a painful experience!
Further on in the letter to the Ephesians, Paul says, "Stay close to God!" "Be very careful, then, how you live . . . do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 5:15-20, NIV) Did you note the curious implied metaphor? Go back and re-read that passage! Our experience of the Spirit of God is compared to drinking wine! A couple of glasses of merlot will make a person temporarily euphoric as the alcohol works in the brain. But the 'joy' that comes with the buzz, disappears as quickly as it came! But, if we drink the Spirit of God deeply, a lasting joy results. So, we are told to seek the real joy, not the passing euphoria. The Message, a contemporary translation of the Bible, captures Paul's metaphor for us. "Don’t drink too much wine. That cheapens your life. Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of him. Sing hymns instead of drinking songs! Sing songs from your heart to Christ." (Ephesians 5:18-19, The Message)
Believer, have you lost the joy of life? Take inventory!
It may be that the Lord has withdraw the fellowship of the Spirit from your heart to make you aware of the need for a course correction in your life. Instead of running around trying to 'get happy,' find a place alone and quiet and pray. When the Spirit points out some sin, some failure, some mis-placed hope, some cruel word, some act of greed - whatever - humbly confess that sin to Him. As He forgives you, forgive yourself! Then, drink His Presence deeply.
" Oh, sing to the Lord a new song!
For He has done marvelous things;
His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory.
The Lord has made known His salvation;
His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations.
He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel;
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth;
Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.
Sing to the Lord with the harp,
With the harp and the sound of a psalm,
With trumpets and the sound of a horn;
Shout joyfully before the Lord, the King." (Psalm 98:1-6, NKJV)
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