Refresh (Dictionary): To restore strength and animation to; to restore or maintain by renewing supply; to freshen up.
Refresh (Bible): To support; sustain; stay; to cool; to lead or guide to a watering place; bring to a place of rest; refresh; o spread; to lean; lay; rest; support.
Learning from and about God’s Holy Spirit has been a joy to me. So, just wanted to share a few words to talk about our wonderful Comforter. We know that the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity and was, and is, an integral part of God’s creation. The word integral means “essential to completeness.”At creation, there was water and darkness and the Holy Spirit was moving (i.e. hovering) over the deep.
Genesis 1:1-3: ” 1In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.” (NASB)
What an amazing picture! The Holy Spirit was moving or hovering over the creation as God entered the 7 days creation week. The Trinity was in full control of Their planned and meticulously orchestrated creation!
The Hebrew word moved or moving is also used in the Song of Moses directed to the Jews about to enter their promised land. In Deuteronomy 32:11, Moses uses the metaphor or word picture of an eagle fluttering over her young, and of fowls brooding over their eggs and young ones, to warm and cherish them. The term fluttering is typically used for nesting birds. Some experts feel that a mother birds fluttering keeps the temperature uniform in the nest during the hatching process.
Deuteronomy 32:10-11: 10 “He found him in a desert land And in the wasteland, a howling wilderness; He encircled him, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye.11 As an eagle stirs up its nest, Hovers over its young, Spreading out its wings, taking them up, Carrying them on its wings,” (NKJV)
Just as the picture of a nesting bird is metaphorical as used by Moses, we could also draw upon that metaphor as how the Holy Spirit reaches out to those lost in a desert land and guides the saved under His care and protection. Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit and with great authority:
John 7:37-39: ” 37Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” (NASB)
The picture here is one of flowing, bubbling water that is refreshing and pure! The Holy Spirit is seen as a river: vibrant and alive and never stagnant! And right at the beginning of this Scripture we see the Lord giving us a promise to those who are spiritually thirsty!
Perhaps you feel dry or have lost hope or need comfort. If that is so, you must come to the One who can refresh and restore your spirit. There may be times we need to ask Jesus to send His Holy Spirit to take those who have a dry spirit and change it to one bubbling up with joy. We all need the Holy Spirit to come and to spread His wings and hover over us.
When we hear the Holy Spirits call, and truly seek Jesus, an incredible transformation occurs:
Colossians 1:12-13: ” 12. …and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,…” (NIV)
Ephesians 1:13: ”In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,” (NASB)
As we seek the Lord, we will feel and hear that river flowing! It’s time to jump into the river and be refreshed!
