Seven Fold Spirit of God

Isaiah preached hope in a time of terror and justice in a time of oppression. The people of Israel were filled with fear as the Assyrian army threatened what was left of the world as they knew it. Isaiah’s message of hope pointed to the future, with a two-part vision of the Messiah and the coming Kingdom of God.  (adapted from www.aplainaccount.org) This devotion focuses on the Messiah.

Verse 1 – A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse.  A branch will sprout from its roots.

Is such a thing even possible?  How can something that died bring forth new life? Nature shows us this reality in countless ways. God’s creation points to resurrection. However, before the new comes, the old has to go. Yes, a shoot can come up from the stump of Jesse.  

Questions: Does our church community need to let something die, in order that there might be new life?  Is it a dream? An idea? A way of being church? Is the church willing to let go of the old to make way for something new?

Verse 2 – The stump of Jesse (father of King David) will be resurrected to give birth to the Messiah. He is characterized by the seven-fold Spirit’s anointing and empowerment:

1. The Spirit of the Lord – a true and living Spirit from God.
2. The Spirit of wisdom – Jesus demonstrated it during his earthly ministry. 1 Cor 1:30 says that Jesus became for us wisdom from God. It is not just that Jesus has wisdom; He is wisdom!
3. Spirit of understanding – Jesus understands all things, and understands us perfectly. Heb 4:15-16 says He is our sympathetic High Priest.
4. Spirit of counsel – He has perfect counsel to give us at all times. He has wisdom and understanding to be the perfect Counsellor.
5. Spirit of might – He has the power to do what He desires to do. While many would help us if they could, they are powerless. Others may have the power to help, but they don’t care. Jesus has both the love and might to help us.
6. Spirit of knowledge – He knows everything, including our hearts. He has the knowledge that we don’t have. So, it shouldn’t surprise us that sometimes His decisions seem strange or illogical.
7. Spirit of the fear of the Lord – He subjects Himself to the authority of the Father; willingly keeping Himself in a place of submission, respect and honour to Him.

(Adapted from blueletterbible.org)

These seven characteristics, manifestations or expressions of the Holy Spirit do not mean there are seven different spirits of God. But they are grouped together as “seven-fold” to show the fullness and perfection of the Holy Spirit. (7 represents completeness)

Jesus lived and ministered as a man filled with the Spirit of God. The wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and fear of the Lord that Jesus displayed in His ministry flowed not from His deity, but from His reliance on the Spirit of the LORD who filled Him. Today, the Church, the Bride of Christ is commanded to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 5:18 – Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,

Questions: Does the seven-fold Spirit of God fill our lives and ministries? The Holy Spirit desires to dwell in us, who are His temple. Do we want more? 

Verse 3-5 – Jesus delights in pleasing His Father and doing His will. (John 4:34 – My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work).  He does not judge by what He sees or hears, but by what is revealed by the Holy Spirit. He will execute righteousness and justice for the poor and needy. And His words have great power to execute judgment on the wicked. (2 Thess 2:8 – And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming).

Questions: Are we people who judge by appearances, or make decisions based on what the mass-media propagate? How might our church participate in bringing forth justice and righteousness through concrete actions?   

Prayer: Father, in Jesus’ name, we call forth the fullness of the Holy Spirit into each of our lives, families, and spheres of influence. Send an increase of Your Spirit’s power and manifested presence among us. We welcome the seven-fold spirits of the Lord to be activated in our lives as we consecrate our spirits, souls and bodies to You. We choose not to judge by what we see or hear. When things arise that appear distorted, help us to be patient and compassionate. We will make a conscious decision to seek your wisdom and counsel through the Spirit that lives within us. Lead and guide us to bring forth your righteousness and justice. Amen.