“I WILL POUR MY SPIRIT UPON THY SEED”
N. T. Meek
This scripture refers to God’s dealings with the remnant of Israel in a future day, and they are presented from God’s side. I would like, however, to apply it to our own day as suggesting God’s acting in relation to the children and young people among us—“thy seed” and “thine offspring”.
It is of all moment that young believers should have the gain of the Spirit’s presence and I have wondered whether we who are older, and parents particularly, may tend to overlook this important matter. We are rightly concerned that the children should know the forgiveness of sins and be sheltered by the precious blood of Jesus, and many are the prayers that go up in this relation. But perhaps we are not so urgent as to their receiving the Holy Spirit. A young believer may show but little taste for the Scriptures. It may be difficult with some to sustain a conversation as to the Lord Jesus. Interest in the meetings and in the ministry may be spasmodic and the outlook may trend toward the world. It is a question whether such have got the gain of the Spirit’s presence.
We may urge the young to ask for the Spirit for themselves. They have their own responsibility to do so. But perhaps, along with this, parents, and all of us, should be more diligent to invoke God’s promise here, “I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thy offspring”. Personally, one feels one has been concerned almost exclusively as to their eternal salvation, but in truth their reception of, and their getting the gain of, the Spirit is essential if they are to develop in a normal way. We who are older are not without responsibility for them; they are regarded as thy seed, thine offspring.
We should look for evidences of the Spirit’s presence and working. An inclination to be in the company of the Lord’s people, a question as to the meaning of a scripture, some personal reading of the precious ministry, are all encouraging signs that the Spirit is gaining a place in a young believer’s life. May we water these evidences, perhaps small in their beginnings, with earnest prayer.
I am sure that some young ones stand in very real need of the personal gain of the Spirit’s presence. We should not fail to urge them to ask for this great gift. From our side we may have prayed long for their conversion, and in due time this may have come about. May we be prepared to travail again that the joy, outlook, and spiritual tastes which flow from the Spirit’s presence may also be their portion.
Substance of word in meeting for ministry, Malvern
26 September 1978