When the Spirit Ceases to Strive

 When the Spirit Ceases to Strive

And the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.”

Genesis 6:3

We continually rejoice in the gracious extensions of God’s mercy toward humanity.  It is a wonder to many of us that God is so remarkably longsuffering; that He does not cut us off; that He constantly shows Himself to be that most patient and loving God of whom we have read in the Scriptures.  There is, however, that characteristic of the Lord which the Scripture depicts which reminds us that we ought never to allow ourselves, or anyone around us, to foolishly believe that God will never cease being patient.

In the days before the flood, when wickedness was rampant in the earth, the Lord made a most telling statement which ought to cause every soul to stop and consider carefully.  He said, “My spirit shall not always strive with man.”  God’s Holy Spirit does strive with people for a while, until God brings that day of grace to a close with resounding judgement.  It is an outstanding testimony to the grace of God that the Holy Spirit does strive with humanity at all.  God does not stand in need of us.  That He wants us at all is absolutely amazing.  That He would send forth His Holy Spirit to “reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” at all is due only to His gracious character.  There comes a time when that striving comes to an end.

The pre-flood society had one hundred and twenty years.  Israel, in the days of Jeremiah, had a measure of time to repent.  Our society has yet an opportunity to turn from its wickedness, but it will not last forever.  When the Holy Spirit ceases to strive, the judgment of God falls with a resounding crash.  Witness the devastation of the flood, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the dark clouds which are gathering over our own heads.  May we who know be faithful to warn, and may God’s Holy Spirit yet speak.

Oh Gracious God,

be yet merciful.

Even now

still speak

by Thy Spirit.

Where the Bush is Burning

Tomm Tice