Theme of the Week: The Holy Spirit
Bible Verse: So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah. 1 Samuel 16:13
Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1-23
The events of David’s life are often pretty well-known. Everything from composing poetry and songs while watching the family’s flocks, to killing the lions and bears, Goliath, Uriah and Bathsheba, even the terrible events of his family life in his later years.
Particularly well-known is his prayer of confession and repentance in Psalm 51. It contains the line: “Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me” (Psalm 51:11). What is particularly important about this request is the background of today’s passage. In 1 Samuel 16, when David is anointed as the rightful king of Israel, it says that the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David “from that day on” (1 Samuel 16:13 emphasis added). This was an unusual occurrence in the days of the Old Testament.
The Spirit had been present in creation since the beginning, never leaving. But His presence in and with people had been fleeting. The Spirit came to empower people for a time, for a task. In the case of David, the text gives a foreshadowing of what was to come for all believers — the coming, indwelling, and staying of the Holy Spirit.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about this coming of the Spirit on David is that most of what we have in terms of the tragedy and sin in David’s life is after the coming of the Spirit. It’s tempting and easy to think that when the Spirit comes that sanctification comes with Him. But the unfolding story of David gives us a peek into how the Spirit works.
Rather than taking over and controlling, the Spirit comes alongside and enables and partners with the person to work toward God’s will and purpose for them. This is fantastically encouraging. Not as a license to sin or be lazy, but to know that our journey is never done. The Spirit is walking with us no matter how many times we may slip or how difficult the trail becomes.
Praise the Lord that though we falter, He stays with us.
Prayer: God, thank you for the promise that you will never leave us. Thank you that your Spirit is with us and in us. Help me to listen for His voice and to be submissive and humble to His leading.
Reflection: Do you ever feel like the Spirit is not with you? When does that feeling come? How can you remind yourself in those times that the Spirit is with you no matter what?
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