Dear Ones:
It is true that the Spirit of God, in His work and nature, is often represented by elements in nature depicting power and authority. But we should never forget that when the Lord Jesus was baptized, the Spirit of God “…descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, ‘Thou art my beloved Son: in Thee I am well pleased.'” (Luke 3:22) We see here a picture of that which does not represent the power of God, but the tenderness, the gentleness of God in dealing with humanity. It demonstrates also the meaning of the Old Testament term “tender loving-kindness.” Although the Spirit of God is the Spirit of Creation, He is also that quiet, silent, and gracious Friend, that sticks closer than a brother. One reason why the Lord Jesus was so approachable by all people, both children and adults alike, was that He was graciously tender. His Spirit is the same nature … for they are one. And marvel of marvels, Christ is in us by His Spirit…His gracious Spirit. What is the application and repercussion of this reality?
In Isaiah 11, we read: “(Speaking of the Lord Jesus…)…And 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…and shall make Him of quick understanding…” (v.2) The quiet presence of the anointing Spirit in no wise diminishes His power, available when He is needed. In Luke’s gospel, we read that the Lord Jesus, at the beginning of His ministry, stood up one day to read the scriptures in the Synagogue. He chose the passage from Isaiah 61:1-2: “….The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor…He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” (v.18-19) Here you have a most remarkable passage which speaks of the gracious, quiet presence of the Spirit, and the extraordinary power of the Spirit to meet the needs of men. We understand something of the heart of God, as the Spirit’s presence and power are directed towards the saving and deliverance of men. In a more specific way we see the Divine power of the Spirit revealed to us by His stated intentions: “heal the brokenhearted,” “liberty to the captives,” “sight to the blind,” “liberty them that are bruised.” Who can do this but Christ by the Holy Spirit? So let us never minimize the quiet presence of the Spirit of God, for He is able to do “…the exceeding abundantly above all that can ask or think, according to the POWER that works in us.” (Eph. 3:20)
Dear Father, in light of our frailty, sinfulness, and stark limitations, grant us this day to grasp the reality of the presence of the Holy Spirit of God, dwelling in our hearts. Enable us see, and understand, that this Spirit that anointed Christ is indeed the same Spirit of dwells in our hearts. And in seeing what this relationship is, enable us to trust Him for His power, so that all of Thy purposes can and will be fulfilled in us for Thy glory.
“Gracious Spirit, dwell with me! I myself would gracious be. And with words that help and heal, would Thy life in mine reveal; And with actions bold and meek, would for Christ my Savior speak.” (T.T. Lynch) In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad