May God Have Mercy..

When the Holy Spirit comes, his first work is to cleanse his people. He cleans out anything that hinders the flow of the Spirit of God. And that means cleansing every individual. All flesh is chased out. Gossips and others who have bitter tongues against the godly are exposed. Those who lie and falsely accuse others are isolated and made to stand and face the truth. Soon, those who cause strife are living under a dark cloud of their own making. And those who didn’t face up to their hidden sin were exposed. In fact, one couple — Ananias and Sapphira — paid for their deception with their lives. You may get away with hidden sin in dead, dry churches, but you can’t in a church where the Holy Ghost is present.

That’s the way it all happened at Pentecost, when the Spirit came. Scripture says that when Peter began to preach with the Spirit’s anointing, the people’s hearts were pricked. They cried out, “What must we do to be saved?” Thousands came to Christ that day. They didn’t need to be convinced through gimmicks or professional entertainment. No, they recognized their sin, and they wanted freedom.

You see, the Holy Spirit is also the administrator of the peace of Christ. He portions out peace both to the pulpit and the pew. Yet there can be no peace without righteousness. Isaiah continues his prophecy: “The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places” (Isaiah 32:17-18).

Peace comes because righteousness is at work. The Holy Spirit is busy sweeping out all unrest, disturbances and condemnation. What follows is peace of mind, peace in the home, and peace in God’s house. And when God’s people have the peace of Christ, they aren’t easily moved from it: “When it shall hail, coming down on the forest; and the city shall be low in a low place. Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass” (32:19-20).

Isaiah’s prophecy about the Holy Spirit was directed to Israel during Uzziah’s reign. Yet it also applies to God’s people today. It’s known as a dual prophecy. The fact is, every generation needs an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. And I believe the church today hasn’t seen anything compared to what the Holy Ghost wants to accomplish.