Read: Isaiah 11:1-5
Reflect: On September 19, 2023, there is evidence of God has been doing what only God can do in the state of Alabama. It all started with 5 women from Auburn University. Five women who had a desire to see God working on their campus. After spending much time in prayer, they finally concocted the idea of having a worship service. They invited a popular Christian band, along with some local pastors to speak. The venue was perfect, Auburn Red Barn, which is right next to the University. With over 5,000 people in attendance, great enthusiasm on the part of worshippers and a strong message from God’s Word, the evening was truly an answer from the Lord.
A BAPTISM OF OVER 200 NEW BELIEVERS
At the end of the evening someone in the crowd, who had just gotten saved, asked to be baptized. Well, as equipped as the Auburn Red Barn was, a baptismal pool wasn’t one of those furnishings. That did not deter the worshippers; instead over a thousand students marched to a nearby lake to witness the baptism of over 200 new believers that night. Even the head football coach of Auburn University got involved as one of his football players wanted to be baptized but didn’t want to do it alone.
THE MESSIAH WOULD BEAR FRUIT
It was an amazing night, but why are any of us surprised? Way back in the Old Testament we are told of the work of the Branch (the Messiah), that He would bear fruit. That is, He would prosper and benefit others. The Bible says, “The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him” (vs. 2). That is, the Holy Spirit would empower Him.
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT MINISTERING TO HIS PEOPLE
Throughout the Old Testament we see the Holy Spirit is very much involved in people’s lives, but always with an eye to the future. This is evident from the Shekinah Glory. From the time that God allowed His people to escape the clutches of Pharaoh, till the time they camped in the land of Cannan, they followed the Shekinah Glory throughout the trek. The word “shekinah” (which is not found in the Bible), is a word the Jewish leaders later adopted which means “to cause to dwell”. It was a cloud by day and a cloud of fire by night which guided God’s people across the wilderness until their final destination. Think of it as God’s GPS. It was how God communicated to his people and how he reassured them of his presence. (Exodus 30:9-10). It was God the Holy Spirit ministering to His people.
THE HOLY SPIRIT’S PART IN CHANGING HEARTS
Besides guiding people, another work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament was “regeneration”. Regeneration is another way of saying “being born again”. The classic example is in John 3:3 when Jesus said to Nicodemus “I tell you the truth, no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again”. Then in verse 11 Jesus asks Nicodemus: “You are Israel’s teacher, and yet, do you not understand these things?” What Jesus was referring to, was the fact that if Nicodemus knew the Old Testament, he would understand the Holy Spirit’s part in changing the hearts and the souls of evil men. (Deuteronomy 30:6)
WHICH HOLY SPIRIT CAN HELP YOU?
Apply: So, which Holy Spirit are you looking for to give you victory in your spiritual battles? Where do you want to find understanding to the great questions that you struggle with every day? Which Holy Spirit can help you develop the gifts that were given to you the moment you were saved? The answer to all these questions is the same because there is only one Holy Spirit. The same Holy Spirit who was hovering over the waters at creation (Genesis 1:2) is the same Holy Spirit who was hovering over the students present that night at Auburn University. Several hundred students gave their lives over to Jesus Christ. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit were working in tandem. They were each working to bring His children into the Kingdom of God!