THE SERVICE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
N.McKay
Genesis 1:2; 2: 4-7; 8:6-12; 24:58,61
These scriptures show that what has been before us in these meetings [as to the Holy Spirit and His service - Ed] has been in the mind of God from the beginning. God always had in mind to give of His Spirit to man; it was no afterthought. The scriptures read also give us the character of the Spirit’s operations.
In Genesis 1 there was chaos and darkness, but the Spirit of God was seeking something for God. At one time my heart was dark and chaotic, but the Holy Spirit waited patiently, constantly looking for some movement towards God. The word “hovering” implies that continuous energy and vigilance which characterises the Spirit’s operations. With every gospel preaching we listen to, every word we hear, the Spirit is waiting to make it real to us, anxious to make us responsive. A divine Person has taken that position on our behalf - how affecting that is. He is ready to react to any response, however little, in our hearts towards God.
In chapter 2 the Spirit is seen in type in relation to the formation of man. Formation is a greater thought than creation - creation is an act of power of God, but formation involves time, skill, and detail. It says “a mist went up from the earth, and moistened the whole surface of the ground”, and then God formed man. The moistening made the ground impressionable, able to be shaped and formed. It is like the Spirit working, preparing the ground, so that God can work in our souls. In these meetings, the Spirit of God has been working in our souls, making us impressionable, and forming impressions. Formation takes time; it is a continued patient working of God to form something for His pleasure within us over many years. The Spirit of God makes my heart tender when I am occupied with Christ, but not if I please myself.
Genesis 8 speaks of a critical time in a believer’s history. The Spirit is simply presented to us as a dove so that we can understand. The raven and the dove were sent out by Noah. When all around is judgement and death, the raven goes out into it, typifying the flesh in us. It goes to and fro, and feeds on death and corruption. It is restless. Uneasiness comes in; we can never find rest for our souls in such conditions, we will never be satisfied in this world. The dove is a picture of purity and tenderness, speaking of the Spirit of God dwelling in the believer. How sensitive the dove is - it speaks of the sole of her foot, one of the most sensitive areas we have. She returns to Noah, showing how there is no rest for the Spirit in such conditions. Is it the raven or is it the dove that prevails with me? The Spirit is looking for conditions in us, and in our localities, which are suited to Him - He is the Holy Spirit - in order that life may be found there. “The mind of the Spirit life and peace” (Rom.8:6); He would stimulate such conditions, and help us in our link with the Lord Jesus. The Spirit maintains our links with Christ where He is.
Genesis 24 is one of the most important chapters in the whole of Scripture. It shows us how divine Persons are working to provide a suitable companion for Christ, for His satisfaction. Abraham speaks of the Father, Isaac of the Son, and the servant speaks of the Spirit operating to secure a bride for the Son. Rebecca is the second great type of the assembly after Eve, and she speaks to us of the formation of the assembly after the introduction of sin. Rebecca has to do with the well, the servant, and the camels - all speaking of the Spirit in different ways. She goes with the servant as a type of the assembly going with the Spirit to Christ. The present time is a journey to a Man in another land. The test is, will each of us go with the Spirit? He would not lead us in different ways, to different churches, to where He is not free, or where He is quenched. He is leading believers into assembly truth, that they might be for the Lord Jesus, and might know His present love.
These meetings raise the question with each one of us: in the language of Genesis 24, will we go with this man? Let us be led by the Spirit into relations with Christ and into assembly truth, so that He is answered to. May the Lord bless the word.
Address at 3 day meetings, Mumbai
29 December 2012