The Jesus Bible Reading PlanSample

THE SPIRIT’S POWER

The Holy Spirit played an active role in the Old Testament. In the book of Judges, the Holy Spirit empowered numerous individuals. The Holy Spirit “came on Gideon” when Gideon fought against the Midianites and Amalekites (Jdg 6:34); the Spirit “came on Jephthah” (11:29) when he went to fight against the Ammonites; the Spirit also “came powerfully upon” Samson and enabled him to defeat his adversary (14:6). When the Holy Spirit moved, amazing things happened.

While the Holy Spirit used people in the Old Testament to perform mighty deeds, the Spirit is still doing great things today. Jesus told his disciples that it was to their benefit that he would leave them, for after he left, “the Advocate” would come (Jn 16:5 – 15). Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would convict the world of sin and guide the disciples into all truth. Though Christians today may not have the physical strength to tear apart a lion like Samson did, they have an even greater power to stand against sin and take the gospel to the nations.

Jesus, thank you for the Holy Spirit. Give me the courage and humility to submit to him in all that I do, so he might do mighty things through me. Amen.