Gift of the Spirit
35
result. To the end of time the presence of the Spirit is to abide with the
true church.
But near the close of earth’s harvest, a special bestowal of spiritual
grace is promised to prepare the church for the coming of the Son of
man. This outpouring of the Spirit is likened to the falling of the latter
rain; and it is for this added power that Christians are to send their
petitions to the Lord of the harvest “in the time of the latter rain.” In
response, “the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers
of rain.” “He will cause to come down ... the rain, the former rain, and
the latter rain,”
Zechariah 10:1
;
Joel 2:23
.
But unless the members of God’s church today have a living con-
nection with the Source of all spiritual growth, they will not be ready
for the time of reaping. Unless they keep their lamps trimmed and
burning, they will fail of receiving added grace in times of special
need.
Those only who are constantly receiving fresh supplies of grace,
will have power proportionate to their daily need and their ability to
use that power. Instead of looking forward to some future time when,
through a special endowment of spiritual power, they will receive a
miraculous fitting up for soul winning, they are yielding themselves
daily to God, that He may make them vessels meet for His use. Daily
they are improving the opportunities for service that lie within their
reach. Daily they are witnessing for the Master wherever they may be,
whether in some humble sphere of labor in the home, or in a public
field of usefulness.
[56]
To the consecrated worker there is wonderful consolation in the
knowledge that even Christ during His life on earth sought His Father
daily for fresh supplies of needed grace; and from this communion with
God He went forth to strengthen and bless others. Behold the Son of
God bowed in prayer to His Father! Though He is the Son of God, He
strengthens His faith by prayer, and by communion with heaven gathers
to Himself power to resist evil and to minister to the needs of men. As
the Elder Brother of our race He knows the necessities of those who,
compassed with infirmity and living in a world of sin and temptation,
still desire to serve Him. He knows that the messengers whom He
sees fit to send are weak, erring men; but to all who give themselves
wholly to His service He promises divine aid. His own example is an
assurance that earnest, persevering supplication to God in faith—faith