April 7, 2003 Monday
The Supply of the Spirit

"I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit..." - Philippians 1:21

When you find that life has left you void of strength and stranded with nothing but sorrow and grief...where do you find yourself turning? Never fall into the temptation of believing that our Lord's supply has run empty or that He doesn't desire to fill us, even in what might appear to be the most destitute circumstance. The Lord once said to His disciples, "now I go my way"...and..."because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you". (John 16:5-7) Do not be surprised when Christ Himself personally leads you to such a place of sorrow and grief in your own life; He will do so often in order to teach us how to rely upon the supply of His Spirit. Paul's faithful obedience to Christ left him unjustifiably bound in prison, yet he was still able to say with all his heart, "I have all, and abound: I am full" (Philippians 4:18) because he had learned to allow the "supply of the Spirit" to fulfill his needs. When the Lord guides us to these places in our own lives we will find that everything appears to be void and empty...no strength...no hope..no peace...and it is precisely at these moments that He is teaching us how to draw freely from His infinite supply. Have you been drawing water from the "pure river of water of life"? (Revelation 22:1) Can you say with all your heart, "I have all, and abound: I am full" in spite of your circumstance?