Notes for a Young Women's Christian Association Meeting

I have sometimes wondered at the knowledge of the Holy Spirit implied in Psalm li. But we see every operation of the Holy Spirit mentioned before the time of David. In our February subject we saw the sevenfold operations of the Holy Spirit. For this month observe the grouping. But first glance at Psalm cxliii. 10: “leading” being a specialty with Israelites in the desert. The Prayer Book version is beautiful: “Let Thy loving Spirit lead me forth”; compare Rom. xv. 30. We do not dwell enough on the real and personal love of the Spirit. He is no abstract idea, but a loving Person. His love is the fountain of His work and operations.

1. Renewing. 2. Comforting. 3. Sealing. 4. Grieving at our sins. 5. Helping our infirmities. 6. Shedding abroad the love of God. 7. Making intercession for us. All these flow from love, as sevenfold rays from pure white light.

First group: Jud. iii. 10, vi. 34. In these verses notice, the power of the Spirit enabling

His chosen instruments for work or warfare seems the leading idea. For our comfort in sense of weakness link with 1 Cor. xii., “Same Spirit” seven times. Apply this to reading of or observing the work of the Spirit in others. Jud. vi. 34; 1 Chron. xii. 18; clothed in “glorious apparel” (Isa. lxiii. 1), denoting the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit, clothing outwardly as well as filling inwardly. Connect with the prayer, “Endue them with innocency of life “; clothe, invest, array.

Second group: 1 Sam. x. 6, 10; xvi. 14. Temporary influences of the Spirit.

Third group: Ps. li. 11, 12; cxxxix. 7; cxliii. 10. Group how you will, so comprehensive.

I. See three titles of the Spirit: 1. Holy, as He is in Himself. 2. Good or loving, as He is towards us. 3. Free, the essence of His work in us. 2 Cor. iii. 17: “glorious liberty.”

II. (1) Deity and omnipresence. (2) Actual possession and possible loss. (3) Upholding. (4) Loving and leading.

Ps. li. 11: “Take not Thy Holy Spirit from me”; contrast with Hag. ii. 5. Key to the difficulty. There may be (1) influence of the Spirit upon the mind, (2) conscious presence of the Spirit; and both these may be withdrawn. But the promised or the covenanted gift of the Spirit “remaineth.” If we have taken hold of the “covenant,” all covenanted blessings are ours, “everlasting” as the covenant itself (Luke x/42). Solemn to think of the passing impulses of the Spirit, but joyful to know that His real work abideth.

The promise in Hag. ii. 5 has a special Association connection (see context, ver. 4), “work,” building of the spiritual temple; we are called to bring the stones, the precept and the promise for us. If we are not working, not obeying the precept, we lose our claim to the promise; how many promises are lost thus.

Fourth group: 1 Chron. xxviii. 19, compare ver. 12, Spirit and Jehovah; hence Deity of the Spirit.

In writing, whether for the press or letters, write for God, and He will teach ourselves by it. I would advise written preparation for Sunday school or Bible-class teaching.

Fifth group: 2 Chron. xv. 1, xx. 14, xxiv. 20. Three instances typical of our work. 1. Azariah, calling to those who are “without God” to turn to Him, leading them to prayer. 2. Jahaziel, encouraging and strengthening those who are on the Lord’s side, leading them to praise. 3.

Zechariah, witnessing against sin and departure from God; compare Neh. ix. $0.

What account have we to give of our Young Women’s Christian Association membership under these three points?