Fill Me Now

“Do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.”—Ephesians 5:18 NASB

For Jesus’ disciples, the Holy Spirit changed everything. Waiting in the Upper Room, weak and uncertain, “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with different tongues, as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out” (Acts 2:4). Suddenly, God’s power flowed in their lives. Their weakness was replaced with supernatural strength and boldness.

The Spirit changed the apostle Paul when Ananias laid hands on him and told him he was to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17). Initially he may not have known what that meant, but he was to discover that all believers need the Spirit and should be “filled with the Holy Spirit.”

This message gripped the heart of Elwood Haines Stokes, who wrote a hymn called “Fill Me Now.” In the form of a prayer, Stokes asked Jesus to “fill me with Thy hallowed presence.”

His prayer was that the Spirit would “bathe my trembling heart and brow,” and that he would be filled with His presence. Stokes did not understand how this happened but knew that he needed the Spirit. He cried out for the Spirit to “cleanse and comfort” him, bless and save him.

Remember your flesh is weak, but the Spirit is willing (Matthew 26:41). He can do amazing things if you wait on Him. Seek to be filled with the Spirit, to live in the Spirit, and to be controlled and empowered by the Spirit.

Reflection Question: Write a prayer asking the Holy Spirit for a fresh filling of His power.