Reading: Numb 11. 16-17; 24-30
“Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke with him… and put the Spirit on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied, but they did not do so again.” Num 11:25 NIV
Modern man is so restless that his ability to concentrate on anything is almost zero! He cannot even watch the same Television channel for more than an hour. (Curiosity leads him to restlessly keep changing channels) We allow no one or nothing to “rest upon” us.
God asked Moses to select 70 elders from the congregation of Israel, so that He could pour His spirit upon them. He did so and when the Spirit “rested” upon them, they prophesied! The spirit has to “rest” upon us. Only then, He can work on us.
Should the governor of your province come to your home to help you… to bestow upon you a merciful gift, what would you do? Won’t you ask him in, seat him comfortably, offer a drink and make him rest? Only then, he will enter in to his business. The spirit, likewise, is seeking to “rest” in you.
The word ‘rest’ here means, “Settling down” in the original text. It also means ‘sleep’ or ‘slumber’. What does it tell us? The Spirit should feel comfortable in you. Only then, He can “settle down.” It is like carrying someone on your shoulders and walking. If you keep moving, the person seated on your shoulder cannot rest.
We seldom concentrate on God. We do ask the Spirit to come upon us but we seldom prepare room for Him. Even when we sit in the presence of the Lord, our body rests there, but our minds wander to a hundred places. How then can the Spirit settle down upon us? Remember, each time our minds go after worldly things, it is a hindrance for the Spirit upon us to “sleep”.
Also, remember, the Spirit doesn’t just come, help and go. He comes to live with you and become your permanent helper for your entire life. He is very sensitive. You also should be sensitive to the Spirit. If He becomes restless, He may retreat!
Prayer: Lord, I understand your Spirit seeks rest in me O’ God! Let me be sensitive to the Spirit, Amen!
Further Reading: Eph 4. 30-32; Matt. 12. 30-32
