In the beginning, when the earth was formless and void, shrouded in darkness, something remarkable happened. The Spirit of God hovered over the waters, brooding like a mother hen over her eggs. This powerful image from Genesis 1:2 sets the stage for understanding one of the most profound truths in all of Scripture: the Holy Spirit is the giver of life.
From the very first moments of creation, we see the Spirit's role in bringing forth life, order, and beauty from chaos. But this wasn't a one-time event. Throughout the Bible and human history, we witness the Holy Spirit's continuous work of breathing life into dead situations, hopeless circumstances, and barren souls.
Consider the vision given to the prophet Ezekiel. He saw a valley full of dry bones – a representation of Israel's spiritual death and exile. God asked, "Can these bones live?" Ezekiel wisely responded, "O Lord God, you know." Then, at God's command, Ezekiel prophesied to the bones, and an incredible scene unfolded. The bones came together, flesh appeared, but still there was no life. It was only when Ezekiel called upon the "breath" – the Spirit – that these reformed bodies suddenly sprang to life, becoming a vast army.
This vivid picture isn't just about Israel's past restoration or even its future revival. It speaks to us today about the Holy Spirit's power to bring life where there is death, hope where there is despair, and renewal where there is decay.
The life-giving work of the Spirit isn't limited to grand, cosmic events or national revivals. It's deeply personal. Jesus told Nicodemus, a religious leader seeking answers, "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." This new birth isn't a physical one, but a spiritual regeneration brought about by the Holy Spirit. When we place our faith in Christ, the Spirit breathes new life into our spiritually dead souls, awakening us to God's reality and transforming us from the inside out.
But the Spirit's life-giving power doesn't stop at our initial conversion. Throughout our Christian journey, we need constant renewal and revival. The church at Sardis in Revelation 3 had a reputation for being alive, but Jesus declared them spiritually dead. How many of us, or our churches, might fit that description? We may have all the outward appearances of vitality – programs, activities, even a veneer of excitement – but lack the true inward life that only the Spirit can provide.
The good news is that the Holy Spirit is always hovering, always ready to bring new life. Just as He brooded over the formless void at creation, He broods over our lives, our families, our churches, waiting to infuse us with divine life and power. But we must be willing to acknowledge our need and open ourselves to His work.
The prophet Hosea gives us a beautiful invitation and promise: "Come, let us return to the Lord... After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him." This echoes the resurrection of Christ and points to the same power that raised Jesus from the dead – the Holy Spirit – as the source of our spiritual revival.
What does this mean for us practically? It means that no situation is beyond hope. When we look at our lives and see only chaos, emptiness, or spiritual dryness, we must remember that these are precisely the conditions in which the Spirit loves to work. Where we see nothing, God sees potential. Where we experience death, God is ready to bring life.
Perhaps you feel spiritually stagnant. The fire that once burned brightly for God has dimmed to embers. Your prayers feel lifeless, Scripture no longer excites you, and you find yourself caught in cycles of sin and worldliness. Take heart! The Spirit of God is brooding over the waters of your soul, ready to reignite the flame of passion for Christ.
Maybe you're looking at your family, your church, or the wider world, and all you see is darkness and despair. Remember, it was into just such darkness that God spoke, "Let there be light." The same Spirit that brought order to chaos and life to dust is still at work today.
The key is to position ourselves to receive from the Spirit. We must humble ourselves, confess our need, and earnestly seek God's face. Revival – whether personal or corporate – always begins with a recognition of our spiritual poverty and a cry for God to move.
As we close, let's reflect on these powerful words from an old hymn:
"Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Fill me with life anew,
That I may love what Thou dost love,
And do what Thou wouldst do."
This should be our constant prayer. We need the life-giving Spirit not just once, but continually. Every day, we can invite the Holy Spirit to fill us afresh, to revive our hearts, to empower our witness, and to transform us more into the image of Christ.
Remember, the same Spirit that hovered over the waters at creation, that raised Jesus from the dead, that breathed life into the early church at Pentecost, lives in every believer. He is not a distant force, but a present reality, always ready to bring life, always ready to revive.
So let us not settle for a form of godliness that lacks true power. Let's not be content with going through religious motions while our hearts remain cold. Instead, let's open ourselves fully to the life-giving Spirit. As we do, we'll discover that nothing is impossible with God. Dry bones can live again. Dead churches can be resurrected. And each of us can experience the abundant, vibrant life that Jesus promised – a life animated and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
From the very first moments of creation, we see the Spirit's role in bringing forth life, order, and beauty from chaos. But this wasn't a one-time event. Throughout the Bible and human history, we witness the Holy Spirit's continuous work of breathing life into dead situations, hopeless circumstances, and barren souls.
Consider the vision given to the prophet Ezekiel. He saw a valley full of dry bones – a representation of Israel's spiritual death and exile. God asked, "Can these bones live?" Ezekiel wisely responded, "O Lord God, you know." Then, at God's command, Ezekiel prophesied to the bones, and an incredible scene unfolded. The bones came together, flesh appeared, but still there was no life. It was only when Ezekiel called upon the "breath" – the Spirit – that these reformed bodies suddenly sprang to life, becoming a vast army.
This vivid picture isn't just about Israel's past restoration or even its future revival. It speaks to us today about the Holy Spirit's power to bring life where there is death, hope where there is despair, and renewal where there is decay.
The life-giving work of the Spirit isn't limited to grand, cosmic events or national revivals. It's deeply personal. Jesus told Nicodemus, a religious leader seeking answers, "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." This new birth isn't a physical one, but a spiritual regeneration brought about by the Holy Spirit. When we place our faith in Christ, the Spirit breathes new life into our spiritually dead souls, awakening us to God's reality and transforming us from the inside out.
But the Spirit's life-giving power doesn't stop at our initial conversion. Throughout our Christian journey, we need constant renewal and revival. The church at Sardis in Revelation 3 had a reputation for being alive, but Jesus declared them spiritually dead. How many of us, or our churches, might fit that description? We may have all the outward appearances of vitality – programs, activities, even a veneer of excitement – but lack the true inward life that only the Spirit can provide.
The good news is that the Holy Spirit is always hovering, always ready to bring new life. Just as He brooded over the formless void at creation, He broods over our lives, our families, our churches, waiting to infuse us with divine life and power. But we must be willing to acknowledge our need and open ourselves to His work.
The prophet Hosea gives us a beautiful invitation and promise: "Come, let us return to the Lord... After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him." This echoes the resurrection of Christ and points to the same power that raised Jesus from the dead – the Holy Spirit – as the source of our spiritual revival.
What does this mean for us practically? It means that no situation is beyond hope. When we look at our lives and see only chaos, emptiness, or spiritual dryness, we must remember that these are precisely the conditions in which the Spirit loves to work. Where we see nothing, God sees potential. Where we experience death, God is ready to bring life.
Perhaps you feel spiritually stagnant. The fire that once burned brightly for God has dimmed to embers. Your prayers feel lifeless, Scripture no longer excites you, and you find yourself caught in cycles of sin and worldliness. Take heart! The Spirit of God is brooding over the waters of your soul, ready to reignite the flame of passion for Christ.
Maybe you're looking at your family, your church, or the wider world, and all you see is darkness and despair. Remember, it was into just such darkness that God spoke, "Let there be light." The same Spirit that brought order to chaos and life to dust is still at work today.
The key is to position ourselves to receive from the Spirit. We must humble ourselves, confess our need, and earnestly seek God's face. Revival – whether personal or corporate – always begins with a recognition of our spiritual poverty and a cry for God to move.
As we close, let's reflect on these powerful words from an old hymn:
"Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Fill me with life anew,
That I may love what Thou dost love,
And do what Thou wouldst do."
This should be our constant prayer. We need the life-giving Spirit not just once, but continually. Every day, we can invite the Holy Spirit to fill us afresh, to revive our hearts, to empower our witness, and to transform us more into the image of Christ.
Remember, the same Spirit that hovered over the waters at creation, that raised Jesus from the dead, that breathed life into the early church at Pentecost, lives in every believer. He is not a distant force, but a present reality, always ready to bring life, always ready to revive.
So let us not settle for a form of godliness that lacks true power. Let's not be content with going through religious motions while our hearts remain cold. Instead, let's open ourselves fully to the life-giving Spirit. As we do, we'll discover that nothing is impossible with God. Dry bones can live again. Dead churches can be resurrected. And each of us can experience the abundant, vibrant life that Jesus promised – a life animated and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Phil Morgan
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