What do you believe about the Holy Spirit of God? Who do you say He is? What would you say is His role in your life? In a recent small group bible study I attend, in talking about the Holy Spirit, one member mentioned that the Holy Spirit really wasn’t present during Old Testament times. It was Jesus who brought the Spirit of God into the lives of people.

How would Jesus respond to this tidbit about His Spirit? What would Jesus say? Jesus often quoted from the Old Testament, and since it is the Spirit’s role during Old Testament times I would like to first focus on, let’s start there.

“Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” (Genesis 1:2)

“When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him.” (Numbers 24:2)

“The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, so that he became Israel’s judge.” (Judges 3:10)

“Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him.” (Judges 6:34)

“Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah. He crossed Gilead and Manasseh, passed through Mizpah of Gilead, and from there he advanced against the Ammonites.” (Judges 11:29)

“For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.” (Isaiah 44:3) Here Isaiah records God’s foretelling the Spirit being made available to all, which was accomplished through Jesus Christ.

“Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.” (Psalm 51:11) David felt the Holy Spirit in his life, and even worried that God might take the Spirit from him.

Before Jesus walked the earth, the Holy Spirit “came upon” selected individuals. It appears from what is written in the Old Testament that the Spirit was not available to everyone, and no one was able to call the Spirit into their lives; God sent the Spirit at the time of His choosing.

Yet Jesus gave us a monumental change in the relationship we are able to have with His Spirit. As He has said…

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:16-17)

“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26)

Yet unlike David and his petition to God to never take the Spirits presence from him, we need never worry about the Spirit being taken from us. If we ever feel the Spirit is not present in our lives, it’s not because the Spirit has left. The Spirit has been given and will not be taken away; “…to be with you forever.” Yet sometimes our hearts and minds are so filled with the distractions of life that we just cannot sense the Holy Spirit, even though He is as close as ever.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27) Consider this: the peace Jesus gives us, and the Holy Spirit He has sent to us, may be one and the same. If you do not feel peace, turn to the Holy Spirit who is with you… “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)