More than spectators
by Pastor Matt Bishop
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him – the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding … of counsel and of might … and he will delight in the fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2,3a).
Have you ever found yourself being taken through the detail of someone else’s prized collection, even though you are a bit indifferent? It might be rocks, wine, teaspoons, model trains, Wedgwood, medals, old tools, plants or copies of The Lutheran. A little polite interest initially … and an hour later, you still can’t get a word in. It’s fascinating enough, but, in reality, you don’t know or care sufficiently about the collection at hand to really appreciate it. You are a spectator rather than a participant.
There is a beautiful collection of words in Isaiah 11:2–5 to describe the Spirit’s gifts to Jesus, the stump of Jesse and the new David (Isaiah 11:1). It’s easy to skim over and observe rather than appreciate and experience. The truth is if Christ lives in us, as the New Testament continually declares he does in all his baptised, believing brothers and sisters, these gifts are also ours. It’s a godly list: wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and fear (reverence) of the Lord and delight in the reverence of the Lord.
I speak these words of Isaiah 2,3a over each person who is confirming their faith in God. Maybe it has been a long time since you were confirmed. Perhaps you have forgotten what gifts your Saviour offers you. Like a spectator rather than a recipient. Maybe you no longer attend to them like you once did – like a shiny Christmas gift you loved receiving that got put on a shelf and was soon forgotten in the distractions of life. Maybe you were never baptised or confirmed and long to discover more about these gifts.
The good news is that the Spirit will take what is Christ’s and make it known to us as we read, study and speak the word of God (John 16:14). So think about each gift and where you see that in Jesus’ life and where you see him working in your life and the lives of those around you who profess him. We are not mere spectators but intimate participants and recipients of these gifts.
Thank you, Holy Spirit, for your seven gifts showered upon us in our baptisms and refreshed when you forgave our sins on account of what Jesus Christ did for us on Calvary’s cross. Keep us from spectating, and drive us to a knowledge and delight in the reverence of you, starting right now! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Matt Bishop serves the congregation and primary school at St Paul Lutheran Church Blair Athol and is chair of the LCANZ General Pastors Conference. He is married to Melissa, delights in his three young adult daughters, and enjoys caring for his five chickens and five budgerigars. He says he would like to spend more time at Venus Bay on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula fishing for King George Whiting, but he loves being both a pastor (mostly) and sharing the gospel with everyone God puts in his path (always).
- Click here to read previous devotions.
- We are also posting them on LCA Facebook, making it easy for you to share them with family and friends.
- Sign up to receive Daily Devotion in your inbox every morning. If you’re already doing that, please encourage others to sign up. Click here for the link.
