Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me.
Psalm 51:11 (emphasis added)

This is one of only three (3) incidents in all of the Word that uses Ruach HaKodesh (the Holy Spirit). The other is Isaiah 63:10-11 “But they were the ones who rebelled, and they grieved his Holy Spirit, so he became an enemy to them; he himself fought against them. Then his people remembered the days of old, of Moses. Where is the one who led up them from the sea with the shepherds of his flock? Where is the one who puts his Holy Spirit inside him” (emphasis mine). He is also called Ruach Elohim (Spirit of God) and Ruach Adonai (Spirit of the Lord). Ruach HaKodesh is more than a presence or a divine force. He is a PERSON. He has feelings (Ephesians 4:30). He is the power behind the words of Elohim (Genesis 1:2; Romans 8:11). He can be lied to (Acts 5:3-4). He is a real person and a personage of Elohim – He is in no way less or greater than the Father or Son.

He is so important, Jesus told us that it was better for Ruach HaKodesh to come than it would be for JESUS to stay with us. That’s quite a statement. But Jesus is the Authority, King, Priest, Mediator, and Word. Ruach HaKodesh is the power. “But when he—the Spirit of truth—comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak from himself, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will proclaim to you the things to come” (John 16:13). “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name—that one will teach you all things, and will remind you of everything that I said to you” (John 14:26). “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and concerning righteousness and concerning judgment” (John 16:8). This is a vital mission. He is also the one who produces Fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). Jesus is the vine, we are the branches, and Ruach HaKodesh is the sap.

He is a FRIEND to us. A real person who wants to talk to us, listen to us, and respond to us. He is a communicator. No, He doesn’t scream and shout. He speaks with a quiet voice (1 Kings 19:12). When we are still, we are able to hear Him (Psalm 46:10). He is not a force that comes on us, makes us feel guilty, and drives us to our knees in prayer. He is a cheerful person. He’s happy to be with us and for us to be with Him. He corrects, but would rather guide. He reminds us we are the righteousness of Elohim in Messiah Jesus, but He would rather celebrate with us. He doesn’t want us to be guilty and disenfranchised, He wants us to be full of wisdom and overcoming in Jesus. The best thing? He IS with us.

Today’s verse is a valid and rich Old Covenant prayer. We do NOT need it. It can be a catchy tune and a good lesson, but in the New Covenant there is NO separation between Elohim and humanity (Matt. 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45). In the Old Covenant, Ruach HaKodesh came on people, but did not take up residence in them. We have someone inside us who is co-equal with Elohim and will never leave us. That is the BEST kind of friend. He is the Spirit of Truth. He is the Spirit of Wisdom. He is Elohim. He is within us. We can converse with Him and through Him. He is Righteous, but not stand-off-ish. This year, we are going to take some time and get to know Him. Come along and transform your relationship with Him, one day at a time.

Daily Affirmation of the Goodness of Elohim: Psalm 145:9

“Yahweh is good to all, and his mercies are over all his works.” Elohim is a concept that is beyond most people: a loving creator. Someone not looking to punish or destroy people. Someone not angry all the time. Someone who doesn’t wait until people are doing enough, saying enough, and being good enough before giving to them. Elohim is not some mystical Santa watching to see if they are naughty or nice. Elohim is GOOD. He wants GOOD things for us. He wants to BLESS us. It is always WE who are not in the blessing zone, not Him holding things back. He gives good things to everyone simply because He loves us all – the wicked and the righteous. He is LOVE. Yes, He is also righteous, so there are consequences for our choices, but He isn’t enacting judgment because He wants to. He does it because He is just BUT He is doing everything He can to ensure that He doesn’t HAVE to. Which is why He is so GOOD to us. His goodness helps to bring about our repentance and salvation in and through Jesus. “Or do you despise the wealth of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4). Elohim is a GOOD God!

Your Daily Confession of Elohim’s Goodness:

I taste and see that Yahweh is good; I am blessed because I take refuge in Him.

Psalm 34:8