JULY 20, John 16:8-11 

The Bible clearly teaches that the special convicting work of the Spirit will lead to the salvation of the soul. This saving work of the Spirit is wholly mysterious to us. It surpasses our human understanding and reasoning. And whether a person is wealthy or educated has no bearing on his salvation at all.

The writer thought that her educated father would first come to believe in Jesus when the gospel was brought to him, but it was her illiterate mother who joyfully came to put her trust in Christ. Though Father came later to the Lord, Mother’s faith had always been much stronger.

You may have heard of the American hymn lyricist Fanny Crosby. Although she became blind shortly after birth, she penned almost 8,000 hymns and choruses for the Lord. Though blind, she led many to “see” God in the beautiful words of her compositions. One famous hymn is entitled “Pass Me Not” and the words remind us of today’s lesson – the convicting work of the Holy Spirit.

Pass me not, O gentle Savior,

Hear my humble cry;

While on others  Thou art calling,

Do not pass me by.

Chorus
Savior, Savior, Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling, Do not pass me by.

Let me at Thy throne of mercy,

Find a sweet relief;

Kneeling there in deep contrition;

Help my unbelief.

Trusting only in Thy merit,

Would I seek Thy face;

Heal my wounded, broken spirit,

Save me by Thy grace.

Thought: Pass me not, O precious Saviour!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for choosing me as your child. Help me to understand it is such a blessing to have been convicted of my sins and to be able to now cast all my burdens unto You. I pray for some of my loved ones who are not saved that Thou O Lord will also be merciful to convict them with the Holy Spirit. This I pray, in Jesus’ name, Amen.