“Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me”— Psalms 51:11.
WE are not to understand the various expressions rating to the activities or operations of the Holy Spirit in Old Testament times, in the same sense as we do since Pentecost. Prior to that great day, the Holy Spirit fell upon men, empowering or enlightening them for certain lines of service, but that did not necessarily mean that new birth had taken place. Now He indwells all real believers (Rom. 8:9, 15) and He imparts various gifts for service according to His will (1 Cor. 12:4, 7). He never leaves one whom He seals (Eph. 1:13, 14; 4:30). Of old, He came upon Saul—an outward thing—and left him when he proved rebellious. Now, lie abides forever in the hearts of those who trust in Christ (John 14:16).
“Here on earth a temple stands,
Temple never built with hands;
There the Lord doth fill the place
With the glory of His grace.
Cleansed by Christ’s atoning blood.
Thou art this fair house of God.
Thoughts desires, that enter there,
Should they not be pure and fair?
Meet for holy courts and blest,
Courts of stillness and of rest,
Where the soul, a priest in white,
Singeth praises day and night;
Glory of the love divine
Filling all this heart of thine.”
―G. Ter Steegen.