Monday Reflection – August 09, 2021 The Spirit of the Lord
Monday Reflection – August 09, 2021
The Spirit of the Lord
The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. Isaiah 11:2
Isaiah’s prophecy in chapter 11 was about the coming Messiah and King. This King from the branch and root of Jesse is full of life, and full of the Spirit of the Lord. According to David Guzik, this verse presents the Messiah who has seven – the number of fullness and completion – aspects of the Spirit of the Lord.
1. The Spirit of the Lord – The Spirit is upon the Messiah. Jesus did not have a false spirit or a deceiving spirit, or even the spirit of a man. Jesus was of the Spirit of the Lord and He knew it.
2. The Spirit of wisdom – Wisdom is about the special perception from God that connects the consequences of one’s decisions with what will occur. Indeed, Jesus is perfectly wise in all things. He showed this during his earthly ministry. 1 Corinthians 1:30 says that Jesus became for us wisdom from God. It isn’t just that Jesus has wisdom; He is wisdom.
3. The Spirit of understanding – Understanding speaks to the God-given discernment that enables a person to grasp the proper perspective of a certain situation. Jesus understands all things, and He understands us perfectly. What a joy that He is our sympathetic High Priest in heaven (Hebrews 4:15-16).
4. The Spirit of counsel – This is the insightful, wise words from God’s Spirit which bring comfort, healing, and warning. Jesus has perfect counsel to give us at all times.
5. The Spirit of might – This is about God-given strength. Jesus has the power to do what He desires to do. Many people would help us if they could but are powerless so to do.
6. The Spirit of knowledge – This is special insights from God that bring attention to what is needed to handle a certain situation properly. Jesus knows everything including our hearts. Jesus has knowledge that we don’t have, so it shouldn’t surprise us that sometimes His decisions seem strange or wrong to us or to others.
- The Spirit of the fear of the Lord – The fear of the Lord is the special awareness of God which provides guidance, leading a person to trust the Lord. It is about submission to the Sovereign will of God. Jesus willingly kept Himself in a place of submission, respect, and honour to God the Father.
The Messiah was filled with the Spirit and lived and ministered as such. Jesus displayed in His life and ministry wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and fear of the Lord. Yet, we can also live as people governed and guided by the Spirit of the Lord. When we invite Christ in our lives and submit to Him, God’s Spirit fills us. Experiencing the Spirit’s indwelling presence and power alone enables us to live for Christ. When the presence of the Spirit of God is within us, it occupies and influences our thoughts, decisions, and relationships with others. Also, when we depend upon the Spirit of God, we are effectively led closer to God and our lives are made more fruitful. Let’s submit to God and experience the overflowing presence and power of His Spirit who bestows joy and fulfilment.
Jermaine Gibson