The First Work of the Holy Spirit

The prophet Isaiah prophesies what happens when the Holy Spirit falls upon a people. “The Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is counted as a forest” (Isaiah 32:15). He is saying, “When the Holy Spirit comes, what was once a barren wilderness becomes a harvest field. A dead patch of ground suddenly overflows with fruit and that field of fruit will grow into a forest; you will be able to take cuttings from this forest year after year and build on your fruitfulness continually.”

When the Holy Spirit comes, his first work is to cleanse his church. That’s what happened at Pentecost. When Peter began to preach with the Spirit’s anointing, the people were strongly convicted and they cried out, “What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Peter’s answer was, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Thousands came to Christ that day because they recognized their sin and wanted freedom.

When the Holy Spirit begins to deal with things in the church of Jesus Christ, he deals lovingly with each individual, convicting them of every idol, every measure of self that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.

Isaiah goes on, “Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field” (Isaiah 32:16). Isaiah is not speaking of a one-time outpouring of the Spirit, what people might think of as a “revival.” No, he is describing something that brings lasting change.

“The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places” (32:17-18). The Holy Spirit is the administrator of the peace of Christ — he portions out peace — and there can be no peace without righteousness.

I encourage you today to pray for more of the Holy Spirit in your life. Pray that he will stir your soul and draw you to your secret closet of prayer. He will supply you with quiet rest and assurance that he will see you through whatever comes.