SUPERNATURAL SUPPLY OF THE SPIRIT

“For I know that this will turn out for my salvation through your prayer and the SUPPLY of the SPIRIT of Jesus Christ”– Philippians 1:19

The SUPPLY of the SPIRIT of CHRIST is a vital resource in Redemption: “For I know that this will turn out for my salvation through your prayer and the SUPPLY of the SPIRIT of Jesus Christ” (Phil.1:19). In this letter, Paul unveiled his heart to the church. The apostle’s spirit overflowed with joy and peace. He spoke of abundant rejoicing, urging his readers to bring their requests to God with joy, “not in any way terrified by your adversaries” (v.28). Meanwhile, Paul himself rejoiced in “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (4:7). And he wrote to the church to do likewise: “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord” (3:1a). All of these are possible through prayer “and the Supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ”!

Paul penned these encouraging words, shackled in a prison in Rome, locked away for two years, during which time some church leaders in Rome turned against him. These sinful men preached Christ “even from envy and strife” and “from selfish ambition” (vv.15-16). Yet through all of these trials, Paul maintained a joyful and forgiving spirit (v.18). Here was a man bearing the care of many churches on his shoulders, yet he was ignored, misunderstood and rejected by friends and enemies alike. And he had to take it all while chained up in a prison cell and hearing reports of churches he had laboured over now sitting under a distorted gospel. At the same time, other churches were enjoying God’s abundant blessings in the Spirit, but Paul couldn’t be there to enjoy the blessings with them. Despite this, his heart overflowed with a quiet, steady joy.

His secret and source of strength was the “supply of the Spirit.” He was saying, in effect: “In spite of all my personal trials, the Holy Spirit is flowing through me. I know that all these humiliations, rejections, pain and suffering, will do me no harm. Rather, the Lord is using it all to work out a glorious plan for my deliverance.” Paul then offered his thanks to the faithful Christians for praying for him, inferring, “Your prayers for me are working. God is supplying me with more of the Holy Spirit. In my trials I have discovered that the greater my need, the more of the Holy Spirit I receive. Right now the flow of the Holy Spirit in me is increasing. The river of the Spirit is getting wider and deeper, as I swim in the flow of His peace and joy!”

The word “supply” means “to meet the situation” or “fully supplied,” signifying full provision for every circumstance. This comes only by faith: “Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?…Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? (Gal.3:2,5). God supplies the Spirit through desperate importunity of faith. Chained in prison, Paul persisted in prayer, pleading for the totality of the Supply of the Spirit to keep him joyful and at rest.

With the ever-increasing Supply of the Spirit flowing from God’s throne, we can bear anything and everything. He causes rivers to flow from our innermost being that is greater and more powerful than any trial. The Holy Spirit is like a boundless ocean, a vast body of living water beyond all measurement, an endless supply available to all who walk with Christ. But we must tap into it by faith! The more faith, the more the supply! Fullness of Him comes by fully surrendering ourselves in faith.

The Holy Spirit’s abode is in our inner man. He is near, waiting patiently for us to give Him control of every situation, trial and affliction. The Holy Spirit supplies grace, strength and deliverance to all who love him: “of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace” (Jh.1:16). But He is not fully received until He is fully in charge. Give Him the reigns of your life today.