“Revival is merely a visitation-a much lower form of spirituality than the Father intends.” Graham Cooke
Recently our son’s friend paid us a visit on his way to Colorado. His stay was brief, barely 24 hours. I enjoy hosting visitors, trying to make them feel valued and comfortable during their short stay. The day after Jesse left, I heard the Lord say, “I’m looking for a few good men and women whom I find trustworthy to host My Presence.”
A visit is a short stay, a brief residence as a guest. To inhabit is to occupy as a place of settled residence; to dwell, live and abide. The difference between the two has to do with the length of stay and the level of formality or intimacy. Are you always serving them or do they help themselves to what’s in your refrigerator and cupboards? One is temporary and the other is permanent. One is a guest and the other is like family.
I want to be one of those few, good women. I want to host God’s presence 24-7. I want to make it so comfortable for the Holy Spirit to make Himself at home within my spirit, that He doesn’t want to leave. I want the Holy Spirit to feel valued when I make time with Him a priority. And I want the Holy Spirit to unpack His bags and stay a while, or better yet, never leave.
So what can we do to encourage the Holy Spirit to descend upon us and make His home within our hearts and spirit? Humility releases His Presence, anointing, and favor. When you’re humble, it’s His agenda you want to fulfill, not yours. It’s Him you want glorified, not yourself. Isaiah 66:2 says, “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my Word.”
Being pure in heart and innocent with childlike faith, makes the Holy Spirit want to take up permanent residence. God wants us to implicitly trust His Fathering. “Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. (Psalm 24:3-4)
Holiness is another character trait of one God desires to inhabit. The Holy Spirit is uncomfortable around sin. Examine your heart, your thought life, the words you speak and your actions. Ask yourself if the Holy Spirit would want to unpack His bags and stay awhile, or would He be uncomfortable visiting you. We’re to be holy because God is holy and He’s set us apart to be His own. (Leviticus 20:26)
Listening and obeying God’s voice, or being a people who hear and heed God’s Word, causes the Holy Spirit to take up occupancy within us. Disobedience doesn’t affect God’s level of love for us because God is love and His love for us is unconditional. But, disobedience does affect our level of intimacy or closeness with God.
Being passionate and making God a priority aids us in becoming a people whom He finds trustworthy to host His Presence. Is Jesus central and not just compartmental, in your life? Does everything revolve around Him and what He desires? Does He have your undistracted gaze?
I want to be one whom the Holy Spirit inhabits. I’m preparing my house to be full of humility, purity of heart and childlike faith, holiness, obedience and being so passionate about God, that He’s top priority in my life. Becoming a woman of habitation, not visitation, is what I desire. Let’s become people who God wants to be with; a people who host His Presence.
“Jesus longs to rest upon not just the few, but a whole generation of unstoppable, fearless servant lovers.”
Bill Johnson
Relevant Reflections:
1. How can you become a person whom God desires to inhabit and not just visit?
2. Which one of these characteristics does God want to develop in you? (Humility, purity of heart/childlike faith, holiness, obedience and passionate prioritizing.)
3. What is the Holy Spirit asking you to do?
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