Earlier in this chapter I referred to a time when I spoke harshly to one of my sons. For the next couple of days after this incident, the Holy Spirit continued to bring it to my attention in my prayer closet. This wasn’t condemnation. It was an issue of communion. I didn’t realize how deeply I had saddened Him, and the first couple of times I asked for forgivenesss, it wasn’t motivated by true godly sorrow. I was more concerned about just moving on. His continued, gentle prompting brought me to the place of true, deep, godly sorrow, which in turn led to the clearing of my soul (mind, will, and emotions).

Paul addressed the Corinthian church similarly after their disobedience caused a breach in their fellowship with God. He wrote (and as you read his words, keep in mind they are from the Spirit of God):

Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me. (2 Corinthians 7:11 NLT)

Thank God that we are forgiven and cleansed by the blood of the Lamb. But while we believers are in right standing with God, we still have to reestablish communion with the Holy Spirit when we have saddened Him. Just as the Apostle Paul did with the Corinthians until they were truly sorry, so the Holy Spirit persists in convicting us because He is zealous for our genuine fellowship. The godly sorrow I experienced produced a genuine earnestness to clear things up and a longing in my soul to be reconnected in communion. Thank God that the Holy Spirit is quick to forgive!

Never forget: the Holy Spirit is gentle, compassionate, and comforting (qualities that we often attribute to women); but He is also mighty, powerful, and like a warrior (qualities that we often attribute to men). We must learn more and more about His personality if we are to experience intimacy with Him. We need to connect with Him on His terms. As we grow in understanding of who the Holy Spirit is, we can experience deeper communion with the Almighty.

Sometimes I try to talk golf with my wife. I’ll say something like, “Babe, guess what? I shot a 68 today!” My boys will be thrilled and say, “Dad, go through every single shot with us!” My wife, on the other hand, will be more interested in the conversations I had with my companions on the course. That’s what really excites her—the relationships. If I want to connect with Lisa on her level, then I need to talk about things that interest her. In the same way, we must discover what interests and pleases the Spirit of God. As we explore His greatness by reading the Word and spending quality time in His presence, He will faithfully reveal Himself to us.

Day 1 Devo

YOU CAN HEAR GOD’S VOICE!

Whoever belongs to God hears what God says….

—John 8:47 NIV

Yes, you can hear God’s voice! He is still speaking to His people today, and He is speaking to us through His precious Holy Spirit. In an effort to connect Christians in a deeper, more personal relationship with God, authors Henry Blackaby and Claude King share: