Be led by the Spirit

Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground. (Ps.143:10)

The Holy Spirit, God in us, is able to lead us in our external and internal struggles. This truth is evident throughout scripture. In Zechariah 4 the angel imparts the word of the Lord to Zechariah the prophet for Zerubbabel the governor, who was up against the external challenge of rebuilding the temple. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” (Zech.4:6)  Zerubbabel was instructed through this prophecy to let the Holy Spirit be the general contractor for this difficult task. Paul shares a similar exhortation to the church in Galatia, as they were being tempted to accomplish inner transformation through their own efforts. “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Gal.5:16) For both internal and external struggles, David appeals to the “good Spirit” for direction.

 The Spirit is the Helper that Jesus repeatedly spoke of to his disciples in his final conversations with them before his arrest. ”And I will ask the Father and he will give you another Helper to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth.” (Jn.14:16)  “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (Jn.14:26) “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth… for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” (Jn.16:13,14)

And the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ reminded his disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the coming Holy Spirit through whom they would receive boldness and power to be his witnesses.

In our battles, God is not only for us, he is within us. This is why Jesus said that it was better for them if he left since then by his death and resurrection, the Holy Spirit would be able to come. The apostle Paul writes in Phil.2:13 that, “it is God [Holy Spirit] who works in you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” 

All of this is great news! How is it made real in our lives? David uses a simple three letter word – let. Let acts as the release valve that dispenses what the Spirit wants to impart on our behalf. We need to give the Spirit permission. We need to ask. Let suggests trust, let involves faith and a willingness to yield. David not only uses the word let but he trusts that the Spirit is good. All of the principles that I have shared thus far could be summed up in letting the good Holy Spirit lead, direct, remind, instruct, reveal truth, convict of sin, give boldness and courage.

Whether we feel these things or not, we can rely on the truth of God’s word that all that  God promises through the Holy Spirit is available to those who have put their faith in Jesus. Ask God, the good Holy Spirit, to help you.