Monday, April 11, 2022

THE SEVEN-FOLD WORK OF GOD'S SPIRIT


The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. (Isaiah 11:2 NJKV)

We have in this chapter a wonderful forecast of our Savior’s person and work; and probably no other single paragraph in the Old Testament seems to sum up so perfectly the sevenfold work of God's Holy Spirit. The stock of Jesse might seem to be cut down to its roots, but it would yield the Messiah. The mother of our Lord was so poor that she could only offer the two pigeons of the humblest and poorest, as the expression of her thanksgiving at His birth, but He was conceived of the Holy Spirit, and in His baptism was anointed and empowered for service by the same Spirit.

Notice the beautiful alternative rendering of Isaiah 11:3 in the Revised Version. "His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord." In the margin the literal meaning of delight is scent! The phrase might be translated: "He shall draw His breath in the fear of the Lord." Our Savior, though living in this world, was never infected by evil surroundings. Let’s seek to live like this, in the world, but not of it!  We know instinctively when we inhale the foul air of certain places and society. What a difference there is in the pure ozone of the ocean or the wind of the hills! If our lot is cast amid the murky atmosphere of the great city, let us be more careful to breathe in the pure air of Holy Scripture and prayer.

The Holy Spirit of God appoints us for service when we receive Him as a gift at baptism, and then builds up within us His six fold grace. We all need wisdom in the spirit, and understanding in the intellect; we all need counsel and direction as to our life purpose, and might to execute the divinely given plan; we all need to become students in the knowledge of God, and in devout reverence. Why should we not make each of these the subject of our special dealing with the Holy Spirit, who gives freely to all who will yield their wills, minds, and lives to His control.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (Galatians 5:22 NKJV) Then all creation will respond to us; there will be a new beauty in heaven above and earth beneath, the preface and indication of that new creation which shall emerge when our Savior returns to call together His Church to  blessedness and eternal peace.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, occupant of our hearts; fill us with Your Holy Spirit, and fit us for that new life when all evil passions shall be subdued, and the knowledge of Your redeeming love shall flow over the worm as the waters cover the ocean bed! In Christ’s name I ask it, AMEN.

God's Daily Promise

Promise #101:
I will restore and refresh your weary soul.


Psalm 23:3 (WEB)
He restores my soul.
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.

 

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