The Holy Spirit – Day 2

Our first introduction to the Holy Spirit is at the very beginning of the creation account, as He broods over the dark, shapeless mass that will become the earth. We see the evidence of His power at work as God speaks the world into existence, but it is Isaiah who gives us true insight into His greatness: “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? Who has understood the mind of the LORD or instructed him as his counsellor? Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding?” (Isaiah 40:12-14).

Read and re-read these verses if you do not get an overwhelming elation at the immensity of the Lord’s power as you visualize the images described. I am convinced that there are so many theories about creation because too many people cannot truly appreciate this awesome achievement in the light of how powerful God actually is, so they try to formulate a more “logical” or “plausible” theory for themselves. Nevertheless, after this first glimpse of the astounding power of the Holy Spirit, we continue to see Him appear throughout the Old and New Testaments, where we read of the Holy Spirit sometimes being in, or sometimes coming upon, an individual or a group, and equipping them for a vital mission.

Moses, who led the Israelites out of slavery from Egypt, felt unworthy of his mission and said: “ ‘who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’ ” (Exodus 3:11). Yet he succeeded, empowered by the Holy Spirit, as did Joshua of whom we read, “ ‘Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay your hand on him’ ” (Numbers 27:18). And Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land.

Othniel defeated the king of Mesopotamia and brought peace to the land for forty years as “The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, so that he became Israel’s judge …” (Judges 3:10). Deborah, a prophetess and judge, went into battle with Barak against Sisera and defeated him (Judges 4); Gideon defeated the Midianites after the Spirit of the LORD came upon him (Judges 6:34); and Samson (Judges 13) tore a lion apart with his bare hands and killed a thousand Philistines with a donkey’s jawbone. These are but a few examples of the Holy Spirit working powerfully in people of the Old Testament.

Each ordinary person was transformed by the Holy Spirit. They all performed feats in the power of the Spirit that they could never have achieved in their own strength, and they also saved their people. The good news is that the Holy Spirit still empowers people today.