Psalm 51:11

Psalm 51:11

Do not take Your Holy Spirit from me

This verse has much to teach us. Firstly, there is the link between the presence of God’s Spirit and the presence of God Himself. Obviously the two things are the same, or are they? In Old Testament times it was possible to enter God’s presence simply by visiting the Tabernacle / Temple. It was here that God dwelt, and the closer His people came to these buildings the nearer to Him they believed themselves to be. Thus, the priests who served in the sanctuary were very much in God’s presence, and the High Priest who entered the Holy of Holies once a year came as close as any man dare to go. The approach to the divine presence was a journey of holiness that required increasing ritual cleansing and purity and in normal, everyday life it is doubtful that most people were giving it much thought!

An awareness of the Holy Spirit was a rare event in the centuries before Christ. David had experienced this blessing at his anointing as king over Israel. 1 Samuel 16:1,13-14. He speaks of the Spirit being upon him in his final words before he died. 2 Samuel 23:1-2. So, David knew of this blessing from God and was very much aware that his authority and his reign were dependent upon the Spirit being with him. To lose the Holy Spirit would diminish him to an ordinary man with no heavenly power and effectively would bring an end to his rule. We know, like David, that without God’s Holy Spirit within us, we are powerless and God-less. Thank God for Pentecost, how privileged we are,for we may have the Holy Spirit with us at all times. “Do not take Your Holy Spirit from me Lord.” 

 

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