Numbers 27:18

"Handfuls of Purpose"

For All Gleaners

"A man in whom is the spirit." Num 27:18

The spirit is the man. As a man thinketh in his heart so is he. "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." There is no mistaking the true spirit. It is one of ardour, purity, self-sacrifice, unquenchable earnestness. We only know the true spirit by the effects which appear in the life. It is in vain to say we have the Spirit unless we bring forth the fruits of the Spirit. "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" Genius is the gift of God. The spirit of poetry is a gift sent down from heaven: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights." The spirit was given to Be-zaleel and those who worked with him in connection with the tabernacle. The spirit we are to cultivate is the "spirit of judgment and of burning"; we are not to judge the spirit exclusively by what may be called romantic effects; the spirit may be shown in love, tenderness, simplicity, unselfishness: whatever effects may be displayed that are not accompanied by these graces are mere fireworks, utterly destitute of spiritual value. Here again another side is suggested by the text. We cannot disguise the evil spirit. That spirit is noticeable in the very tone of the voice, and in every manner and action of the life. It is a spirit of sneering and repulsion, mistaking rudeness for frankness, and even in its most reckless manifestations planning its own safety and honour. As for the indwelling Spirit of God, we have often need to adopt the caution not to judge by appearances, but to remember that God looketh on the heart. It is everywhere taught in the New Testament, that if we really desire the Spirit it will be granted unto us. The great and solemn prayer which should begin every day is, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." Blessed are they who, without renown, riches, genius, have yet the spirit of a sound understanding and a devout loyalty to the doctrine and life of Christ.