Word of the Week - Willing Spirit
"Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me." Psalm 51:12
What is a Willing Spirit? When it comes to our walk with the Lord, I believe a Willing Spirit means we have a posture of “yes”. God is always leading us towards growth and maturity and for us to be able to receive what He has for us we must have a Willing Spirit, or we may not receive the best things that God has for us.
Trusting God by His Word – By knowing the Lord and walking with Him, we grow in our trust and confidence in Him, which produces a more Willing Spirit . Knowing that God loves us and has our best interest at heart gives us the reassurance we need to trust and be willing to say yes. “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, do not lean on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths and keep them straight” Proverbs 3:5-6
Renewing our Minds in God’s truth – The renewing of our minds through God’s word is key to maintaining a Willing Spirt. We must stay grounded in the truth so that we can be transformed. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
God alone is our source – Knowing that God is the source of all life, and everything we need comes from Him gives us a posture of dependance. King David, a man after God’s own heart, knew that his posture towards the Lord was key to his blessing from the Lord. A Willing Spirit positions our hearts and minds to receive what God has for us and to be open and willing vessels, with the “Yes Lord” on the inside. David gives us the key to having a Willing Spirit in verses 10 and 11 leading up to verse 12. To have a Willing Spirit we need a pure heart and the Holy Spirit leading us. “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.” Psalm 51:10-11. This shows David’s dependence upon the Lord and his deep desire for God’s presence in his life, knowing he could not even trust his own motives but needed God’s spirit to lead and guide Him.
A Willing Spirit sustains us – God promises us that if we keep a Willing Spirit, He will be there for us. “If you seek me you will find me if you seek me with all of your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 Jesus also promises us that “if we abide in Him He will abide in us and we will bear much fruit but apart from Him we can do nothing.” John 15:5
I pray that we would have a Willing Spirt toward God so we can receive all that God has for us; for He has great things in store for each of us. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Have a great “yes Lord” week!!!
Duane