The Holy Spirit in God’s People

For He said, "Surely, they are My people, sons who will not deal falsely." So He became their Savior. In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them; In His love and in His mercy He redeemed them, and He lifted them and carried them all the days of old. But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; Therefore He turned Himself to become their enemy, He fought against them. Then His people remembered the days of old, of Moses. Where is He who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of His flock? Where is He who put His Holy Spirit in the midst of them…? Isaiah 63:8-11

God—the Father—put The Holy Spirit in the midst of His chosen people—the Israelites—as they left in that mass exodus from Egypt. A group infilling or indwelling. What an honor to be God’s chosen people, but did they realize how special they were? Apparently not. They just didn’t see the big picture—but when there were maybe as many as two million people traveling together it may have been that there were just too many for the ordinary person to really grasp the magnitude of what was happening. Moses wasn’t saving them…God was. They were His people and He was rescuing them from the Egyptians. He was bringing them back to the land that He had promised Abraham that He would give his family. But they were a rebellious group and didn’t appreciate all that God was doing—that He had done. As believers we are chosen by God to be part of His family. Chosen and set apart. Are we like those rebellious children who caused the Holy Spirit grief? Do we go our own way…have our own plans that we rationalize are God’s plans…His will? What were the Israelites motives…what are our motives? What drives us to do the things we do? 

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, thank you for being in our midst—and for pouring out Your very spirit on us…that we would praise You—along with the Father and His Son, Jesus. You are worthy of praise. I especially thank you for answering our prayers for Julia…and may she continue to grow, heal and thrive in Your love and grace.  

Ash Wednesday – The beginning of Lent—40 days before Resurrection Sunday also known as Easter.

How will you celebrate these days—to honor our Lord and Savior?

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted. Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm