 There are two phrases that are used in the Word of God when the Lord is using a person to do a great act or miracle on His behalf. One is the term “the Spirit of the Lord came upon him” and the other is “the hand of the Lord was on or over him”. These two phrases have very powerful implications for the person involved and were usually reserved for God’s greatest miracles. They are way more common in the Old Testament than in the New. The reason for this is because of what the phrases refer to. In the Old Testament days, the Holy Spirit had not yet been given to believers, because Christ had not come yet and left the Spirit as a “helper”. It was rare to see man walk in the way of the Lord because He simply did not have the Spirit leading him. This is why there was the Law which was given by Moses. The Law was in place to help man live as closely to holiness as possible and when it was broken, there were sacrifices to bring him back into fellowship with God. However, when God wished to make a serious matter come to past He would often use his judges and prophets. When there was a miracle about to take place, you would often see those phrases pop up as it did many times. Having “the Lord’s Spirit upon them”, gave them great power to accomplish all that God had for them to do. Having “God’s hand on them” allowed not only power, but protection from whatever evil was going to come against them to accomplish God’s will. When God has big plans for your life, you can best bet He is going to have you in a position to use you. This leads me to the points I want to make for you as a child of God. There are various ways to determine if God is going to use you in such an amazing way as He did the prophets of old. Including: Having “The Spirit of The Lord Come Upon You” Brings Power When God places his Spirit upon you, there will be no question as to “what it is”! It is truly the power of God himself. He uses us as His hands and feet to go and do to accomplish His will. This phrase is one that was used when there was no consistent Holy Spirit presence upon the Jews at the time before Christ. However, it is obvious still today that God often grants us with extra power when He wants us to accomplish something big for the building of His Kingdom. This happened numerous times to David when “the spirit of the Lord was with and came powerfully upon David” (1 Samuel 16:13, 1 Samuel 10:6). David would often have God’s spirit burn powerfully in him when he would go to defeat the Philistines, although there was a constant presence of the Lord with David. This could be attributed to the consistent worship and praise that David offered God. After all, they say he was a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22). However God would come upon David, He did it often and used David mightily to accomplish His work. He uses us to get t things done as well, but sometimes this requires us to have the power and authority of Christ to get the job done. Maybe He wants you to pray over someone fighting the enemies of hell. Do you think you can do that on your own authority? No, you need the authority of Jesus and tell the enemy you come in His name. In the moment when the Spirit of the Lord comes upon you everything will seem different. Your prayer life will be strong, your Bible study will become clear, and your hands will accomplish things you never knew before.  Having “The Hand of The Lord On You” Brings a Great Shield of Protection God often uses us in very dangerous ways in the eyes of man; however God knows exactly what He is doing. He often places His hand over us to protect us in these tight situations that He places us in. When I was young, I professed faith in Christ. Over time due to the realities of life and living with some family problems of my own, I walked away from the influence of God and the body of Christ in the church. As a result, I got involved in many things and people that I should not have. My life could have been taken many times during that period in my life, but I am fortunate that it did not as God had his hand on me. During this time of trial He kept his hand over me to shield me from the dangers of my decisions, while allowing me to still suffer consequences of my actions. This cause and effect brought me to understand what I had brought upon myself as a result and I turned my life back over to God. Even though He has brought me out of the fiery pits of Hell, I still face danger as His servant here on earth. As an online ministry founder and pastor I have faced multiple threats and scam attempts. God grants me discernment to pick those out and allows me to see it for what it is. As missionaries go into the mission fields of hostile places such as Iraq and China, they need for “the hand of the Lord to be upon them”. I have heard many recall stories when they were aware God was doing this for them in their life as they narrowly and nearly impossibly escaped death. Elijah faced circumstances such as these when he stood up to kings, prophets, and idols to false Gods in 1 Kings (1 Kings 18:46). Thank God that the Lord had His hand upon him in those days. In these moments we feel that we could accomplish anything for the Lord, no matter the danger or odds.  Having God Come Upon You by Hand or Spirit Requires Great Sacrifice God can’t use us if we refuse to move on His behalf. It is true He may give us a few trial runs, but if we do not act according to obedience and God’s will, we won’t be used very often. Many times, believers never truly get to see the fruit of their begun labor. Like the half built house on that country lot going to grandma’s we leave God’s business half-done in our lives. However, God never leaves His business half-done. He just finds another willing vessel because that is simply all we are. We are just vessels, broken and flawed. Constantly on the potter’s wheel we are shaped and molded into who God needs us to be (Isaiah 45:9). Sometimes getting on that wheel requires great sacrifice. It may cost you friends, family, acquaintances, even comfortable jobs. It has cost me all of those so far, but what I received in return was ten-fold better than before. Instead of phony friends, he gave me honorable one. Instead of a job that just had a stable income, he gave me a one where I could do his work all the while making the income. We never know what God has in store, which is why He asks us to trust Him. Of course it is up to you to climb atop that potter’s wheel and begin that journey. When you do, hang on and enjoy the process! I pray this post has made an eternal impact on your life. If you have decided to give more to God today or become of a believer, let us know by email or contact form. As always, thank you for joining us. God Bless and have an amazing week! 1 Samuel 13:14 King James Version (KJV) 14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee. Acts 13:22 King James Version (KJV) 22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. 1 Kings 18:46 King James Version (KJV) 46 And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. Isaiah 45:9New King James Version (NKJV) 9 “Woe to him who strives with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ Or shall your handiwork say, ‘He has no hands’?
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