Walking in the Spirit
Psalm 32:8-9 reads,
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye.
Do not be like the horse or like the mule,
Which have no understanding,
Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle,
Else they will not come near you.”
When we draw close to the LORD, He draws close to us (James 4:8).
You do realise He will lead us, instruct us by His word? This is walking in the Spirit!
Yes! Knowing His word gives us understanding. But allowing ourselves to hear His voice and follow His lead will give us that intimacy and instruction as to His pervasive gaze in our situation, enabling us to be His servants.
When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, walking with Him daily, surrendered and open to opportunities and leadership, He will speak to us and we will hear. He speaks all the time but how well we are tuned in determines how much we hear. And when we hear, do we respond?
We are not puppets nor tiny children, unable to take decisions or responsibilities on our own. But we are His workmanship, His vessels, His hands and feet. How willing, how tuned in, how surrendered are we?
Psalm 32, written centuries before Jesus came and sent His Holy Spirit — helper, comforter, who convicts us and enables us to go deeper with GOD, to be more like Jesus — this Psalm tells us David was guided by that same spirit. Provided by that same understanding, he heard His heavenly GOD and penned as he was inspired to do.
And what does GOD say to Him and to us?
He instructs us. He guides us. He does not want us religiously tied to a “bit and bridle” but wants us free to engage, free to be with Him and ready to move as He leads, not by force but through intimacy…. It is a partnership.
I for one cannot be lead of GOD only by the Word. That is supremely important. But so too is His Spirit within me.
[Thanks to Laurie Lockerbie, Kingston Canada, for the use of the Gull image]
One reply on “Walking in the Spirit”
Shalom in Yeshua-Jesus my sister Sarah, as a born-again Jew in our Mashiach, I also like our Messiah and you Sarah, love and often read the Psalms, your choice for Psalm 32, reminds me of my favourite one which was also most personal to my walk with ADONAI, before I excepted His Son, when falling from the sea net fishing boat, then whilst under the Ocean, knowing only Elohim knew where I was.
Sarah, what a loving God we have, I was about to make my bed in Sheol, but he heard my cry… ‘Please save me Lord’ He saved me a sinful man, then many years later Yeshua answered that cry beneth beneath that sea? when I was fully immersed for the repentance of my sins against ADONAI.
And ever since I have read Psalm 139: ADONAI knows when we need His help, even before we cry out, His Shalom is ready to support us.
Psalm 139 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. 1 ADONAI, you have searched me, and you know me. 2 You know my sitting down and my rising up. You perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, ADONAI, you know it altogether. 5 You hem me in behind and before. You laid your hand on me. 6 This knowledge is beyond me. It’s lofty. I can’t attain it. 7 Where could I go from your Spirit? Or where could I flee from your presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, you are there! 9 If I take the wings of the dawn, and settle in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10 even there your hand will lead me, and your right hand will hold me. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me. The light around me will be night,” 12 even the darkness doesn’t hide from you, but the night shines as the day. The darkness is like light to you. 13 For you formed my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well. 15 My frame wasn’t hidden from you, when I was made in secret, woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my body. In your book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there were none of them. 17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is their sum! 18 If I would count them, they are more in number than the sand. When I wake up, I am still with you. 19 If only you, God, would kill the wicked. Get away from me, you bloodthirsty men! 20 For they speak against you wickedly. Your enemies take your name in vain. 21 Yahweh, don’t I hate those who hate you? Am I not grieved with those who rise up against you? 22 I hate them with perfect hatred. They have become my enemies. 23 Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts. 24 See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.
I am grateful Sarah for a Word of Elohim in the season, from the pen of your ready writing! I still cannot describe in detail what ADONAI, did that day to save me, unsaved people would maybe not believe it? But I am so grateful so happy to be alive in the love of ADONAI IN YESHUA – JESUS.
Shalom always and for all ways
Your forever friend in our Lord Kenny.