Come, Holy Spirit Novena Day 4

Scripture

“I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called out to another and said, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.’ And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filled with smoke. Then I said, ‘Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.’” Isaiah 6:1-5

“And when He [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will convict the world concerning sin.” John 16:8

Meditation

The prophet Isaiah became undone and keenly felt his unworthiness when he came face to face with the glory and holiness of God. God calls us to enter into His holiness, but as we approach His throne, His holy presence overwhelms us. As we bow in adoration, we cannot help but see ourselves as unworthy in the presence of a holy God. 

We cannot clean ourselves up and make ourselves worthy to enter into a relationship with God. The lyrics of the song “Just As I Am” by Charlotte Elliot reflect this truth. Jesus calls us just as we are. But He doesn’t leave us there. One stanza of the song says it well:

Just as I am, and waiting not

to rid my soul of one dark blot

to thee whose blood can cleanse each spot

O Lamb of God, I come, I come

So as we draw near to God and let His Spirit move in us, often He convicts us of sin. Blessed is the person who allows the Holy Spirit, God’s “finger of fire,” to touch his or her heart. As Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa says, “The marvel of repentance is that as soon as man sides against himself, God sides in his favor and immediately defends him from condemnation, even that of his own heart. As soon as the prodigal son said: ‘Father, I have sinned!,’ the father said: ‘Bring quickly the best robe…’” The “best robe” signifies reconciliation with our Father in Heaven. He promises to fill us with His Holy Spirit. Acts 2 says, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Oh, the joy of repentance!

Prayer

O Father in Heaven, I want to draw near to you, but I know how unworthy I am. Give me the humility to acknowledge my sin and unworthiness. Help me to allow your finger of fire to convict me because my repentance and your mercy are the path to my freedom. Come, Holy Spirit, and move freely in me!

Traditional prayer invoking the Holy Spirit: Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

 

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash