"SPIRIT OF GOD, DESCEND UPON MY HEART"
www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/s/o/sogdumyh.htm
While there are several concerns or issues with this song, the largest is the very title (and first line).
It is apparent that a “believer” is singing this hymn ( making this prayer). It cannot, therefore, be an unbeliever making these requests. Having established that, the Holy Spirit is GIVEN as a SEAL at salvation. If one is a believer, one has the Holy Spirit indwelling and He will NOT be taken away! So, why would a believer ask for God’s Spirit to descend on us? There is another “old hymn” that is sung – “The Comforter has come”. Well, which is it - has He already come? Or do we pray for Him to come? Or does He come and go? The Bible says that His Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are the sons of God – statement of fact. God also said “I will NEVER leave you nor forsake you”; God said “the gifts and calling of God are without repentance”, etc. God’s Spirit is given as a [permanent] seal of His PROMISE. In the OLD TESTAMENT dispensation, this song writer could pray, like the psalmist, “Take not thy Holy Spirit from me” – but in the NEW TESTAMENT, God gives, and promises to never take away. And if we live under the old covenant, then there should still be sacrifices because our sins are not yet taken away. And so on and so forth.
www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/s/o/sogdumyh.htm
While there are several concerns or issues with this song, the largest is the very title (and first line).
It is apparent that a “believer” is singing this hymn ( making this prayer). It cannot, therefore, be an unbeliever making these requests. Having established that, the Holy Spirit is GIVEN as a SEAL at salvation. If one is a believer, one has the Holy Spirit indwelling and He will NOT be taken away! So, why would a believer ask for God’s Spirit to descend on us? There is another “old hymn” that is sung – “The Comforter has come”. Well, which is it - has He already come? Or do we pray for Him to come? Or does He come and go? The Bible says that His Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are the sons of God – statement of fact. God also said “I will NEVER leave you nor forsake you”; God said “the gifts and calling of God are without repentance”, etc. God’s Spirit is given as a [permanent] seal of His PROMISE. In the OLD TESTAMENT dispensation, this song writer could pray, like the psalmist, “Take not thy Holy Spirit from me” – but in the NEW TESTAMENT, God gives, and promises to never take away. And if we live under the old covenant, then there should still be sacrifices because our sins are not yet taken away. And so on and so forth.