Isaiah 61 Ministries

Genesis 1:1-2 NKJV
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

Our introduction to the Holy Spirit is found in the opening verses of the Bible as God is creating the heavens and the earth. There is so much to unpack in the first verses of God’s Word!

First, in Genesis 1:1, the Hebrew word for God used in Genesis 1:1 is “Elohim” which is in a plural form mean more than one. God, Elohim, was there from the very beginning. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit were all present and participating in the creation of the world.

Second, we see in verse two, a focus on the state of the earth. The earth was “without form,” was “void” and there was “darkness.” Our English translations are a bit flat in comparison to the Hebrew words being used here. The Hebrew words used in this verse further describe the earth to be in a state of “emptiness, confusion, chaos, nothingness” in addition to being formless, void and in darkness. The original language paints a much more vivid picture of the condition of the earth before God began to speak things into existence.

Then to take notice of the end of verse two. While the Holy Spirit is included in the “Elohim” of verse one, here we see the presence of the Spirit of God highlighted as the One Who “hovered over the face of the waters.” Yes, it is God but it is specifically the Holy Spirit Who is doing the hovering. The Hebrew word used here means “to flutter, move, shake” and implies “brooding” just like a mother hen “broods” over her eggs or chicks. Again, such an interesting choice of words to describe God, the Holy Spirit as the creation of the world is about to begin.
This Holy Spirit is the same Holy Spirit present with us today. Just as He was present and participating in the creation, speaking order, light and life, Holy Spirit is doing the same thing in our individual lives today. Once we accept Jesus as our Savior, Holy Spirit takes up residence with us and His purpose is still the same as it was in the beginning: Holy Spirit is moving, shaking, hovering and brooding to bring about the fullness of God into our lives, dispel the confusion and chaos, bring about purpose and meaning and be a catalyst that we might live the life Jesus died to give us.

I praise You God, Elohim! You are so big, so vast You exist as Three in One! Thank You Holy Spirit that You have hovered over the emptiness, confusion, chaos and darkness of my life and transformed me into a new creation in Christ where I enjoy the fullness of life in Him. Continue Your good work across all areas of my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Growing up and into my young adult years, I certainly had heard about Holy Spirit but never really understood Him…at all. Actually, in my younger years, I heard about The Holy Ghost and was quite honestly more than a bit confused and unsettled at the idea of encountering this “Holy Ghost.” It wouldn’t be until much later I came to better understand this all important, third Person of the Trinity though I still consider myself a kindergartener in my wisdom and knowledge of Him.

I don’t fully understand it and am hard-pressed to explain it adequately but there is One True God and that God exists in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Again, I’m not scholarly enough to comprehend just what that means but I know and believe it to be true. I have learned to live in peace with the unexplainable mysteries of my God though I will forever be a student in His Word and at His feet to grow in my understanding.

God the Father we see in the Old Testament as He was actively involved in the lives of His people. We see Him actually walk in the cool of the day with Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:8). God the Father had such a personal relationship with Abraham He actually calls Abraham His “friend” (Isaiah 41:8). God showed up and introduced Himself as “I AM” to Moses in a burning bush (Exodus 3). Elijah personally met with God in a cave (1 Kings 19). Throughout the Old Testament, time and time again, God the Father showed Himself and was personally involved in the lives of His people and His prophets.

Then in the New Testament, we see God the Son. God the Father sent His One and Only Son Jesus into the world as a tiny baby for the sole purpose of being a sacrifice for our (my) sin. God the Son willingly came to earth and lived life just as you and I do. He experienced hardships, betrayals, rejection, grief, all the things yet so much more than you and I ever will. God the Son went about preaching and teaching, performing miracles and personally interacting with the people. Truly, Immanuel “God with us.”

When Jesus had completed His earthly mission of dying on the cross for our sin, being buried, rising from the dead and then ascending back into Heaven, it was then God sent Holy Spirit to be with us. This Holy Spirit is the Person of God, Who is not only “with us,” but once we accept Jesus as our personal Savior Who died for us, Holy Spirit then lives IN us. Yet another mystery I can’t fully comprehend or explain but oh how I know and believe it to be true!

And it’s this Holy Spirit I want to explore with you. Remember, I’m a kindergartner! But even a kindergarten understanding of Holy Spirit, Who He is and what He is can be life-changing!

Father God this Sunday we will celebrate Pentecost, the day you sent Holy Spirit to be with Your people. Teach us from Your Word what this gift is to us and then help us to live in the fullness of Holy Spirit living in us. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.

It’s Valentine’s Day, and this brings to an end my thoughts on love—God’s love—which brings me full circle back to John 3:16:

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

A number of years ago, God made me realize that even though this verse was very familiar to me, I did not readily recall its context. I had been taught the importance of not taking a verse from the Bible out of context. A general rule of thumb was to read ten or more verses before and after a passage to better understand it. John 3:16 certainly has enough depth all on its own, but I was curious about the context and discovered that it appears in the middle of the story of a man named Nicodemus.

Nicodemus held a prominent position among the religious leaders of his day. He certainly would have known the Scriptures and the prophecies of the coming Messiah. He had been hearing much about Jesus—His teachings and His miracles—and he was curious. Yet because of his religious position, Nicodemus went to Jesus at night so as not to create a stir.

The two had an interesting conversation. Nicodemus began by acknowledging that Jesus was a teacher who had come from God, because no one could do the things Jesus was doing unless God was with him. Jesus responded by speaking about being “born again.” Thinking Jesus was referring to a physical birth, Nicodemus was confused about how that could be possible. Jesus explained that He was speaking of a spiritual rebirth rather than a physical one, and further revealed that this new birth would only be made possible by His being “lifted up,” referring to His coming death on the cross.

It is at this point that we find John 3:16, spoken by Jesus Himself. Jesus knew Whose He was. Jesus knew Who He was. Jesus knew what He had come to do. And Jesus knew what this would mean for all mankind.

The Bible does not record Nicodemus’s immediate response, but later, in John 19:39, we see him publicly bringing spices for the body of Jesus as part of the burial ritual. Something must have changed in his heart—for a religious leader who once “came by night” to now come openly in honor and respect of the Man his fellow leaders had put to death.

So, what is significant about the context of John 3:16? There is much in this passage, but two things especially stand out to me.

First, it causes me to search my own heart. Am I in any way a “come by night” sort of Christian? Or am I bold and courageous enough to live out my faith publicly? Sadly, there are times I shrink back in fear of what others may think. Oh, how I long to be like Nicodemus—willing to risk it all for the sake of Christ!

Second, it is interesting—even striking—to read John 3:16 in context and realize that it was first spoken by Jesus to a religious leader. Let us not be fooled. Even the “religious”—perhaps especially the “religious”—need to hear the gospel. Just because I sit in church, read my Bible, or consider myself a “good person” does not save me or make me a Christian. My only saving grace, the only way to be born again, is found in John 3:16:

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

God’s love for us is the greatest love we will ever know.
God’s love is deeply personal, like that of a Father.
We are God’s beloved—dearly and divinely loved.
God’s love is the only true love.
God is the only One Who can love us perfectly.
And God’s love is the only love that can save us.

For God so loved….Happy Valentine’s Day!