I don’t know when I’ve enjoyed a series of little Bible Verses, “snippets” I used to call them, any more than these on the Holy Spirit! Nearly 3 weeks of Lessons, all focusing on the amazing Spirit of the Lord.

Today’s thought is equally interesting!

“When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.” Isaiah 59:19

Yes, there are always enemies, even in the Christian life. Or should I say especially in the Christian life? The Devil and his cohorts see to that!

Yet here in Isaiah’s Verse the enemy is formidable. He attacks “like a flood.” Or does he even attack? The verb “come in” suggests he just “joins” the group! Jude 4 says “crept in unawares!” Tares in the wheat field!

The noun “flood” (in Hebrew “nahar”) means “river” 98 of 120 times in the Bible. But the translators here felt that word was not strong enough, and used “flood” instead. In fact, 17 more times they did the same thing, as led by the Lord.

A roaring flood!

Destructive, deadly!

What is just one man or woman, though he or she may be a Christian, against such a massive onslaught?

“When the enemy shall come in like a flood ….” Notice not “if” he comes, but “when” he comes! We are in a battle, aren’t we?

But when Satan opposes, inundates us … we are not alone!

No.

“When the enemy shall come in like a flood, THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD SHALL LIFT UP A STANDARD AGAINST HIM.”

What an encouraging promise!

The Holy Spirit is with me!

Watching my back, surrounding me, protecting me!

What does he do? What is He doing right now? What will He do the rest of our earthly days? What is His very Nature?

“To lift up a standard” against the approaching harm, so says the Prophet, directly led by God to pen these powerful words.

And folks, all that is the result of a single Hebrew verb, “lift up a standard!” It is spelled “nus” (pronounced noos) and normally means (142 times in the Old Testament) “to flee.” But here that meaning does not exactly fit. Partly because of the phrase “against him,” opposing the enemy.

This is not running away from the enemy … no! This is running TOWARD him! Attacking him, counterattacking him! Going on the offense! Using the sword of the Spirit and lunging toward that old rascal!

Furthermore, still discussing grammar by the way … “nus” here is built (in Hebrew, not English) on the Polel stem, meaning its last letter is doubled (now spelled “nuss”) and this dramatically adds to the verbal action implied. It’s then a super-powerful “Piel” stem verb then. The Holy Spirit ENERGETICALLY, FURIOUSLY, WITH ALL HIS MIGHT counteracts that encroaching enemy of my soul! DILIGENTLY, WHOLE-HEARTEDLY, FERVENTLY

Clearly, it’s not defense here as much as OFFENSE, Brothers and Sisters in Christ!

This thought today gives new, fresh meaning to Paul’s words: “If God be FOR us, who can be AGAINST us? Romans 8:31

With the Holy Spirit’s aid we then literally can: “Be not overcome of evil, but OVERCOME evil with good.” Romans 12:21, where “overcome” is the verb “nikao,” meaning “to conquer!” In the Name of the Lord, of course!

This too gives more emphasis to the expression “the Sword of the Spirit!” Again note this is an “attack weapon.” Ephesians 6:17

And sheds even further illumination to 2nd Thessalonians 2:8-9, a yet future event, at Jesus’ Second Coming. “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord SHALL CONSUME with the spirit of his mouth, and SHALL DESTROY with the brightness of his coming: even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders.” Offense, for sure!

Running toward the floodtide, opposing it!

Oh, the amazing vastness of the Holy Spirit’s ministry among us today!

Mercy, how we ought to thank Him for being such a Warrior in our behalf!

Amen.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Apparently Isaiah has a lot to say about the Spirit of the Lord. I found 37 times he mentions the word “spirit,” in just a quick count! And many of those clearly refer to God’s Spirit.

So again today that great Prophet (Isaiah) provides our Text. A lovely sentence where God says: “For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring.” Isaiah 44:3

Technically this is a promise to Israel, her bright future being implied. As a saved Nation, trusting the Lord her Messiah!

But surely we children of God, born-again Christians, can “claim” part of this blessing as well. (If not the “full loaf,” at least some of the “crumbs!”)

I believe God here is likening (comparing) the Spirit (His Spirit) to “water” and then to a “flood” and finally to a “blessing!” Again: “For I (the Lord) will pour WATER upon him that is thirsty, and FLOODS upon the dry ground: I will pour MY SPIRIT upon thy seed, and MY BLESSING upon thine offspring.”

The Holy Spirit for the thirsty as a cool drink of water!

The Holy Spirit for the spiritually parched as a flood of life-giving rain!

And the Holy Spirit for the Dad or Mom who is burdened about one or more of their children! As a life-altering Blessing for all their future years!

Wow!

The sweet Holy Spirit in our lives!

AND in our children’s lives too!

A promise from God!

I skipped a clause too, deliberately.

For emphasis. “I will pour My Spirit upon thy seed ….”

The Holy Spirit “poured” on my sons, and daughter?

Looks like it!

Oh, how God wants to help his children … and apparently … his children’s children too! Generations of Christians!

The verb “pour” is “yatzsaq,” meaning “to overflow!”

The word “seed,” a noun, means “offspring.”

And “spirit” is still “ruach,” the very “Breath” of Almighty God. The “Third Person of the Trinity,” we sometimes say.

Oh, let’s claim that promise, or part of it anyway!

“God, do something for my children today!”

Yes, every born-again parent can so ask.

“I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring.”

Amen!

This reminds me of Acts 16:31, the often unquoted portion. “And thine house!”

God is willing to do great things for us, as  Moms and Dads. Any of us who are vocally needy! “For I (the Lord God in heaven) will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground.”

Now I’ve learned that God can also (and is willing, His idea) to bless my children too! And your children!

Yes, back to God’s very Words: “I will pour MY SPIRIT upon thy seed, and MY BLESSING upon thine offspring.” (“Blessing” here being another synonym for the Holy Spirit again, I think.)

How encouraging!

God, do it again!

For us!

And our children!

Amen.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

I never dreamed the Bible mentioned the Spirit of God as often as it does!

He is everywhere in the Word!

And today’s verse, even being a question, is significant as we learn of God the Holy Spirit.

The Prophet Isaiah asks, “Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him?” Isaiah 40:13

Should I capitalize the pronouns referring to Him, the verse would look like this: “Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being His counsellor hath taught Him?” 

The implication here is twofold. The Spirit is sovereign, all mighty, no one commanding Him. Nor is He ever short of knowledge, not once having ever needed a teacher!

Omnipotent, all powerful!

And omniscient, all knowing!

That’s God, rather He is God!

But this morning I’d like us to examine one of those verbs more fully. The one about the Holy Spirit never being “directed.” Isaiah again: “Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD?“

It is spelled “takan” in Hebrew, pronounced “taw-khan,” accenting the last syllable. And of course it means “directed.” But let me show you how the Bible translators (King James Version) expressed the word long ago.

1. They have it meaning “to weigh” 3 times! The Holy Spirit, so vast, He is incalculable! He is “without measure!” No wonder every Christian alive today could be “filled” with the Spirit, and He yet never be one iota diminished! He is un-weighable! Here’s “takan” in Proverbs 16:2, using this very emphasis. “All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.” His Own Spirit weighing most of all!

2. Then 9 more times in the Old Testament “takan” means “equal!” In the sense of being “on the level,” fair and right and even sinless! Listen to a godly prophet (echoing God) accusing the backslidden Israelites, Ezekiel 18:25. “Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?” The Holy Spirit is, then, always “equal,” always right! Always “balanced,” never “off-center!” Thus, no one has ever proved Him wrong!

Or maybe the “equal” idea here simply means no one has ever “equaled” the Holy Spirit … in any capacity whatsoever! He is supreme! Without match! Incomparable!

3. Furthermore, twice “takan” means “to ponder!” As used here in Proverbs 21:2. “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.” I think we’re now being told that we can never fully “understand” the heights and depths and breadth of God the Holy Spirit! He is unfathomable! Think about Him all you choose, a good thing to do, but realize you (we) shall … even after a lifetime of “knowing” Him … still be just beginners!

Wow!

How this clause magnifies God the Holy Spirit!

Un-directable!

Un-weighable!

Un-mistakable!

Un-limited!

Yet He, because of salvation, indwells the hearts of every saved man and woman!

This Friday, try to think of His greatness … every single hour.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

The Holy Spirit is so very, very unpredictable!

His ways are “past finding out,” using Paul’s words from Romans 11:33.

And today’s Lesson provides an example.

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: BECAUSE THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD BLOWETH UPON IT: surely the people is grass.” Isaiah 40:7

The Holy Spirit, the Life Giver, causing things (people) to wither, to fade away? In essence “to die?” Like the grass of the field?

Is this the Spirit of God Who is love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, meekness?

Yes.

Is the Spirit of God Who brought order out of chaos in Genesis chapter one, during Creation week?

Yes.

Is this the Spirit of God Whom Jesus called the “Comforter?”

Yes.

Then, what’s He doing in Isaiah 40:7?

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.”

Oh, friends reading here today … this is always the Holy Spirit’s first job with mankind!

He must, before any lost soul can be saved … “blow” upon that individual’s heart! Cause it to shrink from its natural pride! Cause it to be seared, burned by the very thoughts of eternal punishment, a devil’s Hell! In other words, bring that potential convert to Jesus UNDER CONVICTION!

Here’s Jesus, describing this “blowing” of the Spirit, His “withering” Ministry. “And when he (the Holy Spirit) is come, he will REPROVE the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” John 16:8

Reprove!

Convict!

Blow upon with a withering Breath!

He must kill (that despicable human pride) before He can extend Life!

Self-sufficiency must be made to fade … ere trust on Jesus, trust in Jesus, can be birthed!

The Holy Spirit, the Destroyer … before the Holy Spirit the Sustainer!

Have any of YOU ever been under conviction? Do you recall that sense of being on your way to Hell, such an awareness helping propel you to Jesus?

I do!

Jesus said, agreeing with our Text: “Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” John 12:24, this is just a re-wording of Isaiah 40:7, folks.

Thank God for the day my consciousness was scorched by the Spirit … and then renewed by faith in Jesus … unto eternal life!

Hallelujah!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

What a verse, Isaiah 11:2, in reference to the Holy Spirit.

“And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him (Jesus, the Messiah), the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.”

The first clause is our emphasis today.

The Holy Spirit “resting” on our Lord!

The verb employed here is “nuach,” meaning “to settle down, to remain, to make quiet (peaceful),” and even once “to be confederate!”

“And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him.”

Now when the Spirit first came to me, He did not rest!

In fact, He produced unrest!

He “hovered” over my chaos!

He convicted me of sin.

He sought to frighten me with threats of divine punishment, of Hell itself!

But Jesus had no sin!

The Spirit never convicted our Lord of anything, our PERFECT Lord!

I believe the Holy Spirit “conceived” Jesus! In rest, I might add. “And the angel (Gabriel) answered and said unto her (Mary, the Virgin), The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:35

The Holy Spirit gave Jesus peace, “rest,” when Mary and Joseph had left Him behind in the Temple. At age 12, you remember.

The Spirit rested on Jesus during the 40 days of Temptation, too.

And even at Calvary, where Hebrews 9:14 says Jesus “offered Himself” (shed His Blood) “through the eternal Spirit,” the Holy Spirit of God!

Furthermore … and astoundingly … Jesus offers to give us that Rest now!

Once we are saved. Born again.

Matthew 11:28 records His words: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Rest!

The Fruit of the Spirit includes “peace,” says Paul in Galatians 5:22.

Are YOU resting in the Spirit today?

Better yet, is He resting in you?

REST in the security of your salvation as this Wednesday comes and goes.

REST in the blessings of answered prayer, too!

REST in the fact that you know (personally) the Rest Giver, the Holy Spirit of God!

One more time …

“And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him.”

Amen!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell