Holy Spirit – the Secret of Successful Living
“On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.” John 7: 37-39, NIV.
Introduction: The feast being referred to here is the Feast of Tabernacles (or Sukkot in Hebrew). It is a feast observed between 15th and 22nd of September, to remember the huts (temporary and fragile dwellings) Israel lived in for 40 years in the wilderness (Leviticus 23: 42-43). It is also a feast characterized by bountiful harvest and joy. Hence it is also called “season of our rejoicing” by many Jews ( www.jewfaq.org/holiday5.htm). It was during the last day of this important feast that Jesus chose to reveal to all and sundry the everlasting secret of joy, harvest and breakthrough – “the rivers of living waters,” the Holy Spirit himself.
Holy Spirit likened to a river: From the text above, we see that Jesus likens the Holy Spirit to a river – full and overflowing with life, peace, joy, healing, grace, salvation, mercy etc. In fact, Psalm 46:16-18 reminds us that “there is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy tabernacles of the Most High”. Notice the reference again to “tabernacles” or dwelling tents. Oh, the Holy Spirit longs to live in us, and overflow through us. It’s a picture of abundance and overflowing grace through the indwelling Holy Spirit.
"Another Comforter": No wonder Jesus said clearly in John 14:16-18 that He would not leave us ‘comfortless’. In other words, He sent the Holy Spirit to bring us comfort as we live day by day in a challenging world such as ours. The kind of comfort that Jesus brought during His earthly ministry is the same kind of comfort that the Holy Spirit brings us each day as we lean on him – healing, wisdom, counseling, revelation, restoration etc.
Inherent Power for Success: The Holy Spirit is the source of inherent power for success and effectiveness in life. This is why Jesus instructed His disciples to wait in the upper room until they be endued with power from the Holy Spirit (Acts 1: 8; Acts 2:1-4). And what a marvelous change came over those apostles when the Holy Spirit came upon them. You and I need an inner ability to take us over in life, and this ability comes from the Holy Spirit. Zachariah 4: 6-7; Job 32: 6-10.
What should we do with this understanding?
Acknowledge the Holy Spirit: We acknowledge him by welcoming Him into our affairs, praising Him, asking for His guidance and help (John 14:17). But we have to acknowledge Him in order to receive the benefits of His presence.
Listen to Him: He speaks to us in various forms. We must listen to Him. Yes, one word from the Holy Spirit can change our lives if we respond to him. We must pay attention to the inward witness, to the voice of wisdom through the Word, prophecy etc. Romans 8: 14-16.
Pray out the “burden”: Many times the voice of the Spirit is clouded in background ‘noise’ such that we are not able to discern clearly what He is saying. Or may be, there is an urgent need in the spirit realm that needs to be addressed through prayer. In either case, we sense a “burden” or this inner stirring that is deep and ‘troubling’. This is the Spirit’s call to prayer and fellowship. We must seek God and pray until this “burden” is lifted. We must pray until there is “lightness” in our soul, and joy in our heart. Nehemiah 2: 1-8.
“On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.” John 7: 37-39, NIV.
Introduction: The feast being referred to here is the Feast of Tabernacles (or Sukkot in Hebrew). It is a feast observed between 15th and 22nd of September, to remember the huts (temporary and fragile dwellings) Israel lived in for 40 years in the wilderness (Leviticus 23: 42-43). It is also a feast characterized by bountiful harvest and joy. Hence it is also called “season of our rejoicing” by many Jews ( www.jewfaq.org/holiday5.htm). It was during the last day of this important feast that Jesus chose to reveal to all and sundry the everlasting secret of joy, harvest and breakthrough – “the rivers of living waters,” the Holy Spirit himself.
Holy Spirit likened to a river: From the text above, we see that Jesus likens the Holy Spirit to a river – full and overflowing with life, peace, joy, healing, grace, salvation, mercy etc. In fact, Psalm 46:16-18 reminds us that “there is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy tabernacles of the Most High”. Notice the reference again to “tabernacles” or dwelling tents. Oh, the Holy Spirit longs to live in us, and overflow through us. It’s a picture of abundance and overflowing grace through the indwelling Holy Spirit.
"Another Comforter": No wonder Jesus said clearly in John 14:16-18 that He would not leave us ‘comfortless’. In other words, He sent the Holy Spirit to bring us comfort as we live day by day in a challenging world such as ours. The kind of comfort that Jesus brought during His earthly ministry is the same kind of comfort that the Holy Spirit brings us each day as we lean on him – healing, wisdom, counseling, revelation, restoration etc.
Inherent Power for Success: The Holy Spirit is the source of inherent power for success and effectiveness in life. This is why Jesus instructed His disciples to wait in the upper room until they be endued with power from the Holy Spirit (Acts 1: 8; Acts 2:1-4). And what a marvelous change came over those apostles when the Holy Spirit came upon them. You and I need an inner ability to take us over in life, and this ability comes from the Holy Spirit. Zachariah 4: 6-7; Job 32: 6-10.
What should we do with this understanding?
Acknowledge the Holy Spirit: We acknowledge him by welcoming Him into our affairs, praising Him, asking for His guidance and help (John 14:17). But we have to acknowledge Him in order to receive the benefits of His presence.
Listen to Him: He speaks to us in various forms. We must listen to Him. Yes, one word from the Holy Spirit can change our lives if we respond to him. We must pay attention to the inward witness, to the voice of wisdom through the Word, prophecy etc. Romans 8: 14-16.
Pray out the “burden”: Many times the voice of the Spirit is clouded in background ‘noise’ such that we are not able to discern clearly what He is saying. Or may be, there is an urgent need in the spirit realm that needs to be addressed through prayer. In either case, we sense a “burden” or this inner stirring that is deep and ‘troubling’. This is the Spirit’s call to prayer and fellowship. We must seek God and pray until this “burden” is lifted. We must pray until there is “lightness” in our soul, and joy in our heart. Nehemiah 2: 1-8.
Comments