February 13 Daily Devotional

Bible Verse

"The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with every one who is born of the Spirit" (John 3:8).

Devotional

Notice how striking this figure is. The wind defies man's governing power. It is as sovereign in its influence as it is irresistible in its strength. We cannot command it, nor can we control it. It is just as much out of our power to summon it as it is to soothe it. We do not know where it comes from or where it goes. "So it is with every one who is born of the Spirit."

We do not say that the Spirit is not resisted. He is resisted, strongly and perseveringly. But he is never overpowered. All the enmity and carnality of the heart rises up in direct opposition to him. But when he is bent upon a mission of love … when, in accordance with the eternal purpose, he comes to save, not all the powers on earth or in hell can effectively resist him. Like the mighty force, he breaks down all opposition, sweeps away every barrier, overcomes every difficulty. And the sinner, "made willing in the day of his power" (Ps. 110:3), is brought to the feet of Jesus, there meekly and gratefully to sit, "clothed, and in his right mind" (Mark 5:15).

Who can withstand the power of the Spirit? Whether he speaks in the "still small voice" of tender, persuasive love, or whether he comes in the "mighty rushing wind" of deep and overwhelming conviction, his influence is quenchless, his power is irresistible. He effectually works in those who believe.

But his operation is as sovereign as it is mighty. He comes to whom he will; he comes when he wills; he comes in the mode he wills. He blows where he wills. We hear the sound, we see the effects. But how he works, why he works, and why in a particular way he works, he does not reveal to mortals. Even so, O blessed and eternal Spirit, for so it seems good in your sight.

Gracious Spirit, Dove Divine,
let your light within me shine;
all my guilty fears remove,
fill me full of heav'n and love.

Speak your pard'ning grace to me,
set this burdened sinner free;
lead me to the Lamb of God,
wash me in his precious blood.

Life and peace to me impart;
seal salvation on my heart;
breathe yourself into my breast,
Earnest of immortal rest.

Let me never from you stray,
keep me in the narrow way,
fill my soul with joy divine,
keep me, Lord, for ever thine.

(John Stocker, 1777; mod. LEW, 2009)

Be sure to read the Preface by Octavius Winslow and A Note from the Editor by Larry E. Wilson.

Larry Wilson is an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. In addition to having served as the General Secretary of the Committee on Christian Education of the OPC (2000–2004) and having written a number of articles and booklets (such as God's Words for Worship and Why Does the OPC Baptize Infants) for New Horizons and elsewhere, he has pastored OPC churches in Minnesota, Indiana, and Ohio. We are grateful to him for his editing of Morning Thoughts, the OPC Daily Devotional for 2025.