Surprising Spirit Power!

All Christians and certainly ministers of the Gospel take great joy in realizing the Spirit's awesome power to open up Scripture truth to us like no other. But that's the problem, isn't it--we need to realize Spirit-power more. We need to see how God takes normal folk and gives them supernatural insight. 

QUESTION: Who said the following?

“There is none holy like the Lord; 

there is none besides you; 

there is no rock like our God. 

Talk no more so very proudly, 

let not arrogance come from your mouth; 

for the Lord is a God of knowledge, 

and by him actions are weighed.

And this . . . 

And his mercy is for those who fear him 

from generation to generation. 

He has shown strength with his arm; 

he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; 

He has brought down the mighty from their thrones 

and exalted those of humble estate; 

He has filled the hungry with good things, 

and the rich he has sent away empty. 

These are deep and powerful theological words. And we would most likely attribute them to someone like Samuel, David or Solomon, or Paul if they were New Testament. But (as you may have guessed) the first was spoken by Hannah in 1 Samuel 2, and the later by Mary in Luke 1. 

Frankly, we know little of Hannah other than her part in birthing the great prophet Samuel, yet her spiritual insight and doxological declarations boggle the mind. Where did she get such an education?

And Mary? Well, she was a young lady, some think 14 or 15 years old! Yet, try to fathom the weightiness of her words. Immediately you are made aware that these were not her own, but words that came from a much higher Source. 

It's not that women in general cannot exhibit such an astute understanding of Scripture. God created women equally capable spiritually. It's just that we do not often witness such exhibitions in Scripture, from men or women--apart from God's Spirit. Here are these specific women, heretofore unknowns opening their mouths in such intuitive ways that it might make any preacher envious--if it were allowed!? Ultimately, we take knowledge of Hannah and Mary (like Peter & John in Acts 4) that they have "been with Jesus." And that is a very good thing!

My point? Thoughtful, intelligent and spiritually perceptive words, if they can come from such women by the Spirit's power, can also come from any believer. Even from a preacher on Sunday morning? Was it not God's wisdom to take "uneducated" servants and overwhelm us with their Spirit-enabled speech? 

Application? I need to hear this. Again and again, as a Pastor, I need to know, to recollect from Scriptural example that it is NOT by might, nor by (man's) power, but by the Spirit says the LORD of hosts (Zech. 4:6). The infilling Spirit grants to the humble seeker empowering words to impart God's grace to hearers. Yes, we may struggle to assemble the right message, but it is not for a lack of empowerment from on High. Further, God may make us wait patiently so that our hearts are made to ache for Him--a pruning process necessary if we are to communicate the dynanmic Word in our messages. This year, let us all--layman and preacher alike--throw down the gauntlet and entrust our hearts as well as our words into the Almighty hands of Him who gave us language and the Spirit to proclaim truth.