When he graced a room, the warmth of his presence was felt. The gentle breath of shalom was apparent. My uncle brought a calming effect that was palpable.
God brought calm to the earth after 40 days and 40 nights of rain had covered it. Months passed, and the evil and violence that once consumed the land had been silenced, and God “sent a wind to blow across the earth, and the floodwaters [receded]” (Genesis 8:1).
After releasing a raven, Noah then sent a dove skyward. But water still covered the earth and the dove returned to him (Genesis 8:8-9). One week later, he released the dove again. This time it returned with “a fresh olive leaf” (Genesis 8:10-11). The promise of new life was manifest! After another week, Noah released the dove once more. It didn’t return, for it had found a safe place to alight (Genesis 8:12). God told Noah to leave the boat and to set the animals free that they might “be fruitful and multiply throughout the earth” (Genesis 8:17).
When Jesus emerged from the waters of baptism, “he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove” (Mark 1:10). The Spirit, active with Jesus in the establishing of the first creation, was now settling on Jesus in a symbolic display of the new creation alighting on earth (Genesis 8:17).
Later, after Jesus had ascended to heaven, the believers in Jesus were together in one place in Jerusalem. Suddenly the sound of wind filled the house (Acts 2:1-2). As Jesus had promised, the Holy Spirit arrived and settled on each believer. The calm and presence of God was manifest.
Today, the power and peace of the Holy Spirit has settled on us. And, by His power, we seek the fruit of multiplication of those finding new life in Jesus (Acts 1:8).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Samuel 9:1-21
More:
Read John 3:6-8 and consider what it reveals about the windlike work of the Holy Spirit.
Next:
What interesting parallels do you see in the accounts of Noah and Jesus’ baptism? How have you experienced the calm and shalom that the Holy Spirit brings? How are you sharing the message of new life with others?
gary1schelvan on March 23, 2015 at 2:49 am
Hello Brother Tom, This Gary Schelvan coming to you live from Tianjin, China. I really appreciate it every time you write a post, they are so thoughtful, make you think. To have the Holy SDpirit come and settle into your life, into your inner most being is the ultimate good feeling. It is everything I myself had chased for so many years, alcohol, drugs, money, acquisition of possessions, my own business, all of them never left the feeling of being whole and healed as the Holy Spirit does. There is absolutely nothing else like it, nothing. As we quickly approach Easter, I am just in awe and so humbled by the sacrifice that was made on my behalf by Jesus. I never want to be without the Holy Spirit in my life as long as God allows me to remain here on this earth. Thanks Tom and have a blessed Easter celebration with all of your family, church family as well.
Tom Felten on March 23, 2015 at 9:24 am
gary1schelvan, yes, it’s such a gift to have the Holy Spirit actively working in us! We often talk about how the Spirit counsels, convicts, and comforts . . . all these things I’ve experienced over and over again through the years. May God give you a blessed, Spirit-filled day in Tianjin.
Gary Shultz on March 23, 2015 at 7:00 am
Today, as the dove of Noah’s day, good news, hope and strength are brought by the Spirit. Even like the Spirit at Christ’s time it came and went like Noah’s dove; now today we have the gift of the Spirit’s continual ministry. How blessed we are to have the Spirit of God opening God’s presence to us. To have a Guide sent from God and yet part of God, not only to bring news, but to give us standing and understanding in God’s presence. How can we account for such a beautiful Gift? Thank you
Tom Felten on March 23, 2015 at 9:28 am
So true, Gary. We have this beautiful Gift of the Holy Spirit and this is a Gift to be shared. May you and I and all the Our Daily Journey community reach out to others today with God’s light and life as we’re moved and empowered by the Spirit!
Roxanne Robbins on March 23, 2015 at 12:13 pm
As I read the description of your uncle, Tom, I thought “blessed are the peacemakers.” Indeed, they bring calm wherever they go. Thank you for the reminder of our need for the Holy Spirit to help us bring calm and peace when we enter rooms and situations.
Tom Felten on March 23, 2015 at 10:21 pm
Good insight, Roxanne! Yes, as God’s new creational people, we’re to bring foretastes of His shalom wherever we are.
LCC on March 24, 2015 at 4:49 am
What a blessed assurance that God is with us (in us) as we live in this world.
Winn Collier on April 4, 2015 at 8:53 pm
“The calm presence of God” – I like that, Tom. Thanks.