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<p>"He saw the Spirit of God descending <strong>like a dove</strong>." Matthew 3:16 <br>
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As the Spirit of God descended upon the Lord Jesus, the head—so He also, in a measure, descends upon all the members of the mystical body. His descent is to us, after the same fashion as that in which it fell upon our Lord. <br>
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There is often a singular <strong>rapidity </strong>about it—before ever we are aware, we are impelled onward and Heavenward beyond all expectation. Yet is there none of the hurry of earthly haste, for the wings of the dove are as soft as they are swift. <strong>Quietness </strong>seems essential to many spiritual operations; the Lord is in the still small voice; and like the dew—His grace is distilled in silence. <br>
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The dove has ever been the chosen type of <strong>purity</strong>, and the Holy Spirit is holiness itself. Where He comes, everything that is pure and lovely, and of good report, is made to abound—and sin and impurity depart. <br>
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<strong>Peace </strong>reigns also where the Holy Dove comes with power; He bears the olive branch which shows that the waters of divine wrath are assuaged. <br>
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<strong>Gentleness </strong>is a sure result of the Sacred Dove's transforming power: hearts touched by His benign influence are meek and lowly henceforth and for ever. <br>
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<strong>Harmlessness </strong>follows, as a matter of course. <em>Eagles </em>and <em>ravens </em>may hunt their prey; the dove can <em>endure </em>wrong—but cannot <em>inflict </em>it. We must be harmless as doves. <br>
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The dove is an apt picture of <strong>love</strong>, the voice of the dove is full of affection. Just so, the soul visited by the blessed Spirit, abounds in love to the brethren, and in love to the lost; and above all, in love to Jesus. <br>
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The brooding of the Spirit of God upon the face of the deep, first produced order and <strong>life</strong>—and in our hearts, He causes and fosters new life and light. Blessed Spirit, as You rested upon our dear Redeemer, even so rest upon me from this time forward and forever!
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