Isaiah 11:1-2
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.
What of Today’s Verse…
In this prophecy of the Messiah, we are told how the Lord Jesus (walking upon earth as a man) would function in order to manifest godliness. He would live by this prophetic promise: “The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him.”
The Holy Spirit operating in Jesus would be to Him “the Spirit of wisdom and understanding.” No one ever displayed wisdom like Christ. Whether dealing with the woman taken in adultery (Joh_8:2-11) or answering provoking questions about Caesar’s image on a coin (Luk_20:20-26), He wisely circumvented every attempt to undermine His ministry. Jesus also demonstrated perfect understanding. When confronting the self-righteous scribes and Pharisees (Mat. 23:13-35), He applied perfect discernment, exposing the corruption of their hearts.
Operating in Jesus, the Holy Spirit would also be to Him “the Spirit of counsel and might.” Jesus was truly the “Wonderful Counsellor” (Isa_9:6).
When counselling Nicodemus, the religious ruler (Joh. 3:1-21), and the Samaritan woman at the well (Joh. 4:7-42), He fully gave them what their hearts were seeking in the truths they needed to hear. Also, Jesus distinctively exhibited the might of God. Whether boldly speaking to calm the raging sea (Mar_4:35-41) or courageously remaining silent at His trial (Mat_27:11-14), the mighty power of God was on majestic display.
Ministering to Jesus, the Holy Spirit would also be to Him “the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.” No one ever possessed knowledge like the Lord Jesus. “Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men” (Joh_2:24). “Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father” (Joh_13:1). Jesus not only had thorough knowledge, but that knowledge was always controlled by “the fear of the LORD.” Everything that Jesus ever did was under the full influence of His godly fear (reverential trust and loving respect) toward the Father. “The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him” (Joh_2:17).
Remember, all of these wondrous expressions of Jesus’ character were based upon the enabling work of the Holy Spirit. “The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him.” This same Spirit of God can bring forth in our lives every appropriate application of these same realities manifested in the life of Jesus.
Let us Pray:
Who is like You, O Lord? Who could ever match Your majestic character — certainly not me. Yet, I need manifestations of such fruit in my life. Please work deeply in me by Your Holy Spirit, producing such Christ likeness, I pray, in Your holy name, Amen.
Words of Wisdom
This Moment
I express wholeness and peace here and now.
My past and future enhance my experience of the world, but it is only in the present moment that I cocreate my life. And, in this present moment, I find God.
Behind me are “the things I cannot change,” which a familiar prayer reminds me to accept. I accept them, and I learn from them. Ahead of me lie infinite possibilities and ideas waiting to be accessed through prayer, affirmation and action.
But in this present moment, I experience the fullness of God. I affirm only good, knowing that all good things are available to me.
I thank God for this moment and for the wholeness and peace here and now.
“In that day, “A pleasant vineyard, sing of it! I, the LORD, am its keeper; every moment I water it. Lest anyone punish it, I keep it night and day.”–Isaiah 27:2-3
