The Spirit of the Lord

Scripture             Isaiah 11:1-10   
Focus Verse        Isaiah 11:2 & 4 excerpt
The Spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD … with righteousness he shall judge …

This short reading from Isaiah is a beautiful positive messianic promise interwoven into some of the harshest words of judgement spoken in the bible.  The stump of Jesse (David’s father) is the once glorious Israel under attack and beaten down by the Assyrians.  Suddenly hope “shoots” up in the midst of despair, the Messiah who will deliver the people!  Once again we find foreshadowing.

It is a beautiful vision that Isaiah creates for us, the Peaceable Kingdom, the one we dream of while we wait … Into the messiness of the feeding trough, Jesus was born.  Into the messiness of life, Jesus walks.   But Jesus never walked alone, and neither do we.

The Spirit of God, the One hovering over the waters of Creation, is and always has been watching over humanity, leading and guiding, teaching and inspiring, convicting and comforting … even praying when we don’t know how.  Paul says our very own bodies are a temple for the Spirit of God. 

Reflection:  How do you experience the Spirit of God in Christ?  Recall times in your life when you've know that Jesus has been your companion on the journey of life.

If music is a spiritual pathway for you, take in link and listen to "Hail to the Lord's Anointed."  Anointing is symbolic of blessing, protection, and empowerment and it's meaning is that of being chosen or "set apart."  This arrangement is beautifully sung by Sandra McCracken and highlights our belief that Jesus is the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy of the Anointed One, the Messiah. 

Breathing in … Lord Jesus Christ
Breathing out … Have mercy
*pray by breathing this prayer repetitively until the prayer prays you. You’ll know the prayer is praying you when the words come to you at random times in random places.  You will simply feel the words on your lips, in sync with your breathing.  And you have begun the process of praying unceasingly through the power of the Holy Spirit! For more information about praying The Jesus Prayer, an ancient prayer form from the days of early Christian History, practiced by the Desert Mothers and Fathers, take this LINK ...