Series: Flowers in the Desert
Psalm 91:15-16 ESV
Acts 2:1-4 ESV
The Spirit at Creation (Genesis 1:2)
Isaiah 42:1-9 ESV
The Spirit and King Saul (specifically Saul’s disobedience in I Samuel 16:14)o
The Spirit and King David (Psalm 5:10-12)
Isaiah 5:1-5 and Isaiah 61 (The ONE coming)
Acts 2:17-21 ESV
Desert Holly is the most drought resistant saltbush shrub in the United States. It can survive in Death Valley year round.
In Death Valley it stands where only the strong and the Spirit of God resides.
If we close our eyes and shut out the world we imagine the silence of the desert where the Spirit of God speaks.
In scripture there are specific messages that tell us God does speak to us. We are told sometimes it’s through a prophet, sometimes it’s through an Angel, and sometimes it’s through a specific man or woman who lived long ago.
In Psalm 91:15-16 the writer give us a specific promise related to a message God has for us. The message wasn’t given only to people who lived long ago.
The message is timeless.
It’s a message that God promises to every person who turns to God.
It’s a message for you and for me.
It’s a message for those who will come.
Psalm 91:15-16 says,
“When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
We know that message still applies today because of what occurred after Jesus ascended into Heaven.
In Acts 2:1-4 we are told, “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”
As promised, the Spirit came to earth and filled all who would receive the power of God. Even though they were promised that a Helper would come, they were not told exactly what to expect. However, they did have a glimpse because from the beginning the Spirit was active and present in the Old Testament.
We know the Spirit was present at creation (Genesis 1:2).
In Isaiah 42:1-9 the Prophet wrote, “Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights;I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.
He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street;
a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.
He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.
Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it,who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it:
“I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you;I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations,
to open the eyes that are blind,to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.
I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.
Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare;before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
In Isaiah 41 the servant referred to Israel, and specifically Jacob, the seed of Abraham and we learn in Isaiah 42 that he was chosen to receive the Spirit. In the broader picture, Israel was chosen.
Under the old covenant the Spirit was with warriors and Judges. For example, Joshua, Gideon, Sampson, and Ezekiel.
The Spirit was with Kings of Israel, Saul (even though the Spirit departed from Saul because of his disobedience…see I Samuel 16:14) and with King David (Psalm 5:10-12).
The Spirit was present with the Prophets as they guided Israel. We take note of Isaiah 11:1-5 and Isaiah 61 when he foretold of the one coming.
Yes…the Spirit was present and active in the Old Testament, but now with the coming of Jesus, the death and resurrection of the Son ushered in a new age.
Now, when Peter quoted the Prophet Joel in Acts 2:17-21, “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams;
even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below,blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’”
Everyone. Every one who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved and will receive the Holy Spirit living in them.
One voice calling…one voice will be heard. God, Holy God hears and responds.
In the silence of the desert we hear God.
Spiritual Practice: Silence
Imagine being in the desert. Sit in silence with God and embrace the Spirit of God in you.
In God, Deborah
I'm shohel mia