The SPIRIT of GRACE and of SUPPLICATIONS

“And I will POUR upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the SPIRIT of GRACE and of SUPPLICATIONS: and they shall look upon ME whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for HIM, as one mourns for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for HIM, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.” [1]

The SPIRIT of GRACE and of SUPPLICATIONS leads us to see JESUS! Especially to see Him in His sufferings for our sins and for our salvation.

For example, in the early months of 1997, my family of six was living on the fifth floor of a school in Guangzhou City, China. We experienced many trials. From overwhelming heat and humidity to swarms of mosquitos that had to be fought off by burning smoking coils of repellent and sleeping under mosquito nets. Sometimes our meal rice that smelled so good to a hungry tummy tasted horrible to a sensitive pallet because of tiny particles of sand in it. Sometimes the choice vegetable served to us by the school “chef” was celery floating in oil. Then, there was the always the not-so-hidden clues that the government was surveilling us.

Amidst this lifestyle fraught with difficulties, the Holy Spirit led us to divine moments of rapture as we listened to songs of the Savior who suffered on a cruel cross to save us and the world from sin. I had a cassette player and scores of cassettes with songs to celebrate the love of God demonstrated to us by His Son. These songs were our oasis in the dry desert. Songs like: “There is a Fountain Filled with Blood” (William Cowper); “At the Cross” (Isaac Watts); “Jesus Paid it All” (Elvina M. Hall); “Whiter than Snow” (James Nicholson); “The Love of God” (Frederick M. Lehman); and “What a Friend we have in Jesus” (Joseph M. Scrivener).

I did not always know how to pray but the Holy Spirit did. As the Scripture says, “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” [2]

“Look on ME . . . whom they have pierced.’ Look at the only begotten Son of God suffering for us! See His pierced hands and feet! Pierced for our sin. Look at Him with hymns! Look at Him with prayers! Look at Him with praise! Look at Him and tell others what you see!

The angel told John, “For it is the SPIRIT of prophecy who bears testimony to JESUS.” [3] “The Holy Spirit is truly ‘God the Evangelist,’ drawing sinners into fellowship with Christ. Knowledge of Christ and fellowship with Him is what the Holy Spirit’s ministry is all about. His ministry leads us to see our need of Christ so that we embrace Him in faith and love.” [4]

“Yes, Heavenly Father, may the Spirit of grace and supplications work in and through us to bring us and others close to Christ. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.”

[1] Zechariah 12:10
[2] Romans 8:26
[3] Revelation 19:10
[4] J.I. Packer: The Holy Spirit and Salvation