As I inch ever closer to Pentecost Sunday (June 8), the day that commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit on individual Christ-followers, I am reminded of the words of Christ to the Samaritan woman:
"Believe me, woman, a time is coming
when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain
nor in Jerusalem.
You Samaritans worship what you do not know;
we (Jews) worship what we do know,
for salvation is from the Jews.
Yet a time is coming and has now come
when the true worshipers will worship the Father
in spirit and in truth,
for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship
in spirit and in truth."
John 4:21-24, NIV
What powerful words!
What paradigm shifting words!
What faith strengthening words!
You and I are invited to worship the Father.
You and I are expected to worship the Father.
You and I are commanded to worship the Father.
How?
In spirit.
In truth.
If you and I are to worship the Father in accordance with what Jesus said to the Samaritan woman -- "in spirit and in truth" -- the invitation/expectation/command definitely includes worshiping Him as He has revealed Himself to humanity.
Through nature
Through the whole of inspired Scripture
Through Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit
Today, as I wait, may I take time to look at nature and see how "the heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge" (Psalm 19:1-2).
Today, as I wait, may I take time to find God in the whole of inspired Scripture -- from Genesis to Revelation -- and see how the same God who appears as a wrath-filled God is the very One who is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in love, sacrificial on the Cross that saves despicable sinners.
Today, as I wait, may I take time to worship the Father as I believe in Jesus Christ (the One sent from the Father) and as I heed the promptings of the Holy Spirit (the One sent from the Son).
On this thirteenth morning, I turn once again to David's penitential psalm.
So far, we have read,
"For the director of music. A psalm of David.
When the prophet Nathan came to him
after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.
Have mercy on me, O God,
When the prophet Nathan came to him
after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to Your unfailing love,
according to Your great compassion
blot out my transgressions."
Psalm 51:1, NIV
Psalm 51:1, NIV
Holy Spirit, please open our minds as we meditate further upon this psalm.
As David continues his plea, he says in verse 2,
"Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from
my sin."
The idea of washing brings three words to mind -- water, soap, and friction.
Today, we will focus on the first word.
Water points our hearts to Jesus who is the Living Water providing springs upon springs of water to our thirsty and dirty hearts when we acknowledge our need of Him --His Way, His Truth, His Life. It is this water that quenches the thirst of our arid hearts, parched lips, and dry mouths.
It is this water that gives life to us when we gradually allow ourselves to become spiritually dead:
- playing with fire
- refusing to pray
- swimming in sin
- concealing trespasses
- clinging to worthless idols
- being disinterested in spiritual growth
- refraining from participating in regular confession
It is this water that rinses out dirt build-up when we position our glasses, pitchers, buckets, and reservoirs under the generous faucet of Christ's bountiful, benevolent, and boundless grace. It is the water of His Word that cleanses our hearts and renews our minds daily as we come to hear, and read, and memorize, and meditate, and heed, and share its blessings.
It is this water that satisfies us so much and compels us to worship the Father in spirit and in truth.
O, Holy Spirit of the living God, thank You for coming to us. Thank You for opening our minds to understand that our souls long after the Father just like a deer pants for flowing streams. Thank You for opening our eyes to see that Jesus Christ is the fountain of living water. Thank You for enlightening our hearts to perceive that You, O generous Spirit, are the effective guide helping us wade in the water of the Word -- one that is too wonderful, too lofty for us to attain on our own. Thank You for showing us how to worship the Father in spirit and in truth. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen!
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