When God the Holy Spirit savingly applies His Word and converts a sinner, is the length of time or unusualness of circumstances the most important? What is most important?

Whom have I in heaven but Thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee.

- Psalm 73:25

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, 0 LORD, My Strength, and my Redeemer.

- Psalm 19:14

Then, falling on his knees beside the bed with the open Bible before him, he pleaded with the Lord for forgiveness. Day after day, he continued to read, and the Holy Spirit powerfully applied the truths of God's Word to his heart and life. He phoned the firm in New York to say that he was returning and confessed having stolen the money. He was not prosecuted and did not even lose his job, but was allowed to repay part of the stolen amount each month from his wages. His life continued to reflect the fruits of a renewed heart and he remained living in New Jersey where he faithfully and lovingly served the Lord.

How can the irresistible power of the Holy Spirit applying God's Word to a person's heart be clearly seen in these remarkable stories? Does the Holy Spirit always work this suddenly and quickly?

Has God the Holy Spirit savingly applied His Word to your heart? What are your deepest desires? Whom do you serve in your life? Is your name, honor, and will still your god - the idol that you worship? If God has savingly applied the truths of His Word to your heart, then your deepest longings and strivings have changed. Do you know something of your deepest desires being changed to know, love, and serve God? Do you value and strive to live according to God's Word? Do you most deeply desire to walk in a manner pleasing to God in all things and to avoid all sin?