Inviting the Cleansing Work of the Spirit

Cleanse and comfort bless and save me
Bathe O bathe my heart and brow
Thou art comforting and saving
Thou art sweetly filling now

Fill Me Now 1879
By: Elwood H. Stokes (1815-1897)

Listen to this worshipful version of this hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

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Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

As we conclude our journey through this penitent hymn, ask the Spirit to come and fill you again today. Let’s tune our hearts.

Cleanse My Heart

Do not get caught up in the sequence of the Spirit’s work listed here. Allow the far-reaching implications of this short list to wash over your soul, pun-intended. On different days we need more of one than another, but we need them all every day.

The imagery of that first word becomes a focus of the first part of this last stanza due to repetition: cleanse, bathe, bathe. Those words make us think of an external cleansing, but we know that the real bathing we need is internal. We need it to become a vessel fit for the filling of the Spirit, and we need it to remain so as well.

Our getting right with God and the righteousness He invites and enables us to walk in is all based on His work and mercy, not ours. All of that merciful work is expression of His goodness and loving kindness, much of which we often fail to acknowledge. May this short list and the work it outlines take you deeper into the Spirit.

Cleanse and comfort bless and save me

…when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy,  Titus 3:4-5a ESV

The Holy Spirit does incredible work in us. In this opening line of the last stanza that work is listed as cleansing, comforting, blessing and saving, but so many more words could be added to describe God’s goodness and kindness. Thank Him for answering this prayer even before you could pray it.

This is certainly not a chronological list of the Spirit’s work in us, nor is it a comprehensive one. Even still it is a pretty remarkable list of things the Spirit does when He fills us. Which do you most need today, cleansing, comforting, blessing or saving?

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and invite the Spirit to come and do that work you are most needful of today. “Spirit, come and _____ me today.” Then make praying simple prayers like this one a regular part of your daily walk in the Spirit.

Bathe My Brow

Here we see the confirmation that this work in internal. Bathe my heart. We should also assume that the brow is a reference to the mind behind that brow, if not an acknowledgment of the futility of our hard work demonstrated by a sweaty brow trying to accomplish what only the Spirit can do.

It is a difficult lesson to learn. To trust the Spirit completely to do the work. We are so accustomed to try and help ourselves. Learning to welcome the Spirit to do the work that only He can do is a wonderful discipline. This prayer leads us there.

Bathe O bathe my heart and brow

by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, Titus 3:5b-6 ESV

Part of that cleansing work is the washing of regeneration and renewal the Holy Spirit does in us. Imagine that gracious pouring out that cleanses and washes us renewing our lives to fulfill God’s purpose. Ask Him to continue that work in you again today.

We need to be washed with regeneration and renewal, the kind of washing that only the Holy Spirit can do in us, and gladly does in the hearts of all who genuinely pray a prayer like this one. Have you ever asked Him to bathe you? If so, hallelujah. If not, why not today?

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and invite the cleansing work of the Spirit today. For both heart and brow He is the only One who can renew. Pray a simple prayer like this one. “Spirit, bathe my heart and brow.” Then learn to pray it every day.

Spirit, thank You for cleansing work in my life, amidst all the other work you do in me. You are so merciful to me. Help me to come to You every day and invite that work again. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Cleansing Tuning!

Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence. We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.

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Video 29.4 Transcript

Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.

Cleanse and comfort bless and save me
Bathe O bathe my heart and brow
Thou art comforting and saving
Thou art sweetly filling now

This is certainly not a chronological list of the Spirit’s work in us, nor is it a comprehensive one. Even still it is a pretty remarkable list of things the Spirit does when He fills us. Which do you most need today, cleansing, comforting, blessing or saving? Invite Him to do it in you.

Spirit, come and _____ me today.

We need to be washed with regeneration and renewal, the kind of washing that only the Holy Spirit can do in us, and gladly does in the hearts of all who genuinely pray a prayer like this one. Have you ever asked Him to bathe you? If so, hallelujah. If not, why not today?

Spirit, bathe my heart and brow.

Interestingly, the writer revisits two of the works of the Spirit from the opening line of this stanza, cleansing and saving. Maybe they are the two most crucial, or the ones He needed most. Either way, they are essential. Echo that prayer from deep in your soul today.

Spirit, comfort and save me.

How sweet is the work of the Spirit! He fills us and does so with an astounding blend of power and gentleness. Invite Him one more time here to come and fill you. Then repeat that simple prayer every day until your work on earth is done.

Spirit, sweetly fill me now.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.

Sing

Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, Be Resonant.

The post Inviting the Cleansing Work of the Spirit appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Cleanse and comfort bless and save me – https://pixabay.com/photos/bathtub-tub-bathroom-bath-white-2485952/
Bathe O bathe my heart and brow – https://pixabay.com/photos/heat-summer-hotness-excursion-1494868/