Isaiah 11:2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him –
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of power,
the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord

The Spirit of God is mentioned in the Bible from Genesis 1:2, but this is the first description of Him that I’m aware of. It certainly bears close attention. Once again, comparing the English and the Japanese translations gives broader and deeper insight. Wisdom and understanding are both fairly common concepts, but I’ve always been a bit uncertain as to what “counsel” would mean. The Japanese uses a term that carries the meaning of decision-making, which to me illuminates the verse considerably. Likewise, where the English simply says “power,” the Japanese says “ability,” that is, the power to get things done. That’s different from strength, as in muscles. One more difference between the translations is that the Japanese specifies not simply knowledge, but knowledge of the Lord. Simply knowing stuff isn’t the same thing as an intimate relationship with God. It follows that such knowledge brings an appropriate fear of the Lord. All of these things are important to consider when we think about being filled with the Holy Spirit. As this verse says, from His baptism onward, Jesus was never “unfilled” with the Spirit, because the Spirit rested on Him. However, we leak! We aren’t intended to be cisterns of the Holy Spirit, but conduits, allowing Him to flow through us. At the same time, the only things in this list of descriptors that seem active are decision-making and ability to get things done; the primary focus is on our relationship with God. The more we are filled with the Holy Spirit, the deeper our fellowship with God will be, and the more we will sound and act like His children. Our goal in seeking to be filled with the Holy Spirit isn’t the gifts of the Spirit, as important and useful as those are, but rather to be as close to God as possible, to allow His character to be manifested in us.

This is as important for me as it is for anyone. I am to be active and intentional in making the Holy Spirit welcome in my heart and life, neither grieving (Ephesians 4:30) nor quenching (1 Thessalonians 5:19) Him. As a pastor, as I encourage people to open their hearts and lives to the activity of the Holy Spirit, I need to help them understand that it’s not about merit badges or parlor tricks, but about the most important relationship they can ever have. I need to exercise all of the things listed in this verse to break through the fortresses of deception that the enemy builds in people and societies, so that they may know the truth and be set free indeed.

Father, thank You for this clear, strong Word. Help me follow it! Thank You for yesterday and all it held, from the attack I endured in the morning, that gave me such empathy for one person to whom I’m ministering, to the times counseling with people over the phone, to my interactions with family members. Thank You for all You have planned for today, from my school teaching to my ministering in various ways to various people. May I be Your agent in each encounter, speaking Your truth in Your love, drawing people to You for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!