First, we must establish that the activity of the Holy Spirit is not a New Testament phenomenon. His presence is evident from the very beginning, as we see at the dawn of creation. The Scriptures tell us that the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters, showing His active role in bringing order and life.
Throughout the Old Testament, God's move was made manifest by His Spirit. He operates through His Spirit, revealing Himself in powerful and specific ways. Let's explore some of these key manifestations:
- During Creation: At the foundation of the world, the Spirit hovered over the depths. This act shows His fundamental role in shaping existence itself, bringing forth order from chaos.
- Empowerment and Leadership: The Spirit provided extraordinary ability for divine tasks. He gave wisdom and skill for building the Tabernacle and empowered leaders like Othniel and Gideon, filling them with courage to deliver Israel.
- Prophecy and Guidance: The Spirit came upon the prophets, giving them God's very words to speak. He guided Joshua as he led the nation, and David acknowledged that it was the Spirit of the Lord who spoke through him.
- Striving Against Sin: The Spirit actively contends with human rebellion. We see that He does not strive with humanity forever, which reveals His compassionate nature—grieving over sin while extending grace for repentance.
- The Future Promise: The prophet Joel foretold a glorious future outpouring, where God would pour out His Spirit upon all people. This shows the Spirit as the carrier of God's promises and the executor of His will for all who believe.
From these examples, a crucial truth emerges: wherever the Spirit of God is, there is a driven purpose. He does not come to make us comfortable but to make us effective. He never leaves us idle or self-absorbed.
We do not serve a selfish God. The One who sacrificed Himself for our salvation has given us His Spirit, and we cannot be selfish with this gift. In every instance we've highlighted, the pattern is clear: the downpour of the Spirit comes first, and the work follows. We are told that we will receive power after the Holy Spirit comes upon us, and that we will be witnesses to the ends of the earth.
The Holy Spirit is like an employer recruiting workers for the harvest, not an entertainer gathering admirers. He empowers us for a mission that begins in our immediate surroundings and extends to the ends of the earth.
This is a heartfelt call to self-reflection. Let us reaffirm our standing in Christ. Have we grown idle? Have we stopped pressing forward? Now is the time to return. Seek Him diligently, and let the Holy Spirit help you retrace your steps and rekindle your divine purpose.
Watch out for our next post in the series, “The Holy Spirit at Work in Us.”
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