Over the last couple of weeks, we have been looking at the acts of the Holy Spirit in revivals at different times in the United States and other countries, trusting that God will again move in these days. Unfortunately, we will not see much of God's work among us unless we turn from our sin to the Lord. The Spirit of God needs to have the reins of our hearts so He can lead, empower and use us for His glory. The Holy Spirit is our Helper or our Advocate. As an example of how the Holy Spirit helps us, let's look at how He came alongside a man named Samson in the Book of Judges. Let me ask you a question about Samson. Have you ever formed an image of the size of his muscles? Do you think he had massive biceps to do what he did? After all, how big were the gates of a city?
But Samson lay there only until the middle of the night. Then he got up and took hold of the doors of the city gate, together with the two posts, and tore them loose, bar and all. He lifted them to his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill that faces Hebron (Judges 16:3).
I used to imagine Samson to be a hulk-like person; after all, how did he carry off the city gates to the top of the hill? (Judges 16:3). How big and heavy would the gates and posts of a city be? I know this will shock you, but I think he was a little guy like me. Why do I believe he was small and thin? When you read the Scriptures, he must have had incredible strength, but if he were a colossal muscleman, why did the rulers of the Philistines each pay Delilah eleven hundred shekels of silver for her to find out the secret of his strength? (Judges 16:5). The Philistines were so convinced by what they saw of Samson that they were ready to pay big money to find out the secret of his strength to overcome him (and perhaps to use the secret themselves). If he were big and strong, they would not think there was a secret to his power. The Scriptures tell us three times that the secret of his strength was the Holy Spirit, Who would come on him and give him supernatural strength:
The Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat (Judges 14:6).
Then the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him. He went down to Ashkelon, struck down thirty of their men, stripped them of everything and gave their clothes to those who had explained the riddle (Judges 14:19).
As he approached Lehi, the Philistines came toward him shouting. The Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him. The ropes on his arms became like charred flax, and the bindings dropped from his hands (Judges 15:14. Emphasis mine).
Also, in the Old Testament, Exodus 31:3-5, we read of the Spirit of God filling Bezalel with artistic talent and skills in metalwork to create and design things for the Tabernacle of the Lord. Can't the Lord do the same today for those who ask Him?
In Judges 6:15, we read of the Holy Spirit giving leadership gifts to Gideon, who proclaimed his spiritual bankruptcy. The Holy Spirit was gracious to him and, in verse 34, rested on him, giving him leadership, courage, and direction to fight and gain victory over an army of 135,000 when all he had with him was 300 Israelites. Can I remind you that you are not alone if you are a believer; you and the Holy Spirit make a powerful team, for God will work in you and through you.
As the Church, we must get out of thinking that the Holy Spirit is some Jedi force (Star Wars movie imagery). He is a person who wants a close relationship with all who call on the name of Christ. Notice the following Scriptures about the Holy Spirit being a person:
Ephesians 4:30. (He can be grieved)
1 Thessalonians 5:19. (The Spirit’s fire can be quenched)
Hebrews 10:29. (He can be insulted).
Acts 1:16. (He can speak. "The Holy Spirit spoke...”)
Acts 5:3. (He can be lied to).
Acts 7:51. (He can be resisted)
Acts 15:28. “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit…. (He thinks)
Romans 8:14. He leads us: "Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the Sons of God.”
John 14:16, He can counsel you and be with you. “…He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever.” The Greek word used here is paracletos which means "one called alongside"- a counselor, helper, and encourager.
If you are a Christian, the Holy Spirit comes alongside you forever. You are not alone, even though you may feel lonely. This One called alongside will comfort and counsel you with His presence and love. The Holy Spirit is not an "it," He is a "He." It is time to treat Him as God as much as we do the Father and the Lord Jesus. Keith Thomas
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