"Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit," says the Lord. Zechariah 4:6

William Law wrote some helpful thoughts down for pastors. I think he knew the universal temptation we all have to minister in the "strength" of our natural abilities. And his warning is just as useful today as at any stage in church history.

The necessity of a continual inspiration of the Spirit of God, both to begin the first, and continue every step of a divine life in man, is a truth to which every life in nature, as well as all scripture, bears full witness.

A natural life, a bestial life, a diabolical life, can subsist no longer, than whilst they are immediately and continually under the working power of that root or source, from which they sprung. Thus it is with the divine life in man, it can never be in him, but as a growth of life in and from God.

Hence it is, that resisting the Spirit, quenching the Spirit, grieving the Spirit, is that alone which gives birth and growth to every evil that reigns in the world, and leaves men, and churches, not only an easy, but a necessary prey to the devil, the world, and the flesh.

And nothing but obedience to the Spirit, trusting to the Spirit, walking in the Spirit, praying with and for its continual inspiration, can possibly keep either men, or churches, from being sinners,or idolators, in all that they do. For everything in the life, or religion of man, that has not the Spirit of God for its mover, director, and end, be it what it will, is but earthly, sensual, or devilish.

The truth and perfection of the gospel state could not show itself, till it became solely a ministration of the Spirit, or a kingdom in which the Holy Spirit of God had the doing of all that was done in it.

God gives the Spirit without limit. John 3:34

If that's true, why don't we ask for more? Why don't we try and test God on this, asking unabashedly that He lavish His Holy Spirit on us? Fear, maybe? Independence? Probably.

So just what does the Holy Spirit add to our lives? In his devotional MORNING AND EVEING, C. H. Spurgeon reels off a number of reasons why the Holy Spirit makes the difference in our lives. Here, slightly tweaked for contemporary prayer, is his list.

Holy Spirit, how we need you. We are such fools for attempting to live our lives with you in the back seat. How much pain could we avoid if we let you drive.
   
Sacred oil, you anoint our heads as believers, setting us apart to the priesthood of saints, and give us the grace to execute that office properly.
   
As the only truly purifying water, you cleanse us from the power of sin and set us apart to holiness, enabling us to desire and then to do what pleases you.
   
As light, you reveal yourself to us in our darkness, and reveal the Lord Jesus to us in us, guiding us in the way of righteousness. Now we live in light, we are children of the day.
   
As fire, you purge the dross from us and set our consecrated natures ablaze. You are the sacrificial flame by which we are enabled to offer our whole souls as living sacrifices to you.
   
As the heavenly dew, you remove our barrenness and fertilize our lives. Oh, how we long for you to come on us from above at this early morning hour. That kind of dew would make all the difference in the day ahead.
   
As the dove, with wings of peaceful love you brood over the Church and over the souls of believers, and as a Comforter you dispel the cares and doubts that spoil our hard-fought-for peace.
   
Now, heavenly dove, would you descend upon us as you did upon your Son at his baptism, and bear witness to our son ship by arousing in us a filial, family affection, so that we cry, "Abba, Father."
   
As the wind, would you bring your breath of life among us, and blow on us where you will. Perform your quickening operations, just as you animate and sustain all life. May we feel your nearness this day and every day. Amen.