During
a time when Israel was oppressed by a thug whose name meant “double
wicked darkness,” God sent a hero to deliver them.
This
hero, Othniel, had a solid pedigree. His relative, Caleb, was one of
12 spies sent by Moses into the Promised Land. Ten of the spies were
afraid but "Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, 'We
should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do
it'" (Numbers
13:30).
However,
it was the Spirit
of God
that brought Othniel's victory rather than his DNA or military
prowess. He
was one of only 18 individuals in the Old Testament who had the Holy
Spirit. When the Spirit came on Othniel, he conquered the enemy. When
the Spirit came on the apostles at Pentecost, they turned the world
upside down.
Today,
this Holy Spirit filling is promised to every believer. Paul told us
to be "filled with the Spirit," (Ephesians
5:18).
The
Holy Spirit give us power to conquer any enemy. The
Holy Spirit equips us for spiritual battle against relationship
problems, addictions and the temptations that afflict us. The Holy
Spirit allows God to use us in ways that we can hardly imagine.
We
need heroes like Othneil today in our churches and our communities
around the world. Christians are oppressed in Iraq and other
countries; people oppress each other in our own nation. While, we do
not need to be delivered from the King of Mesopotamia, we have our
own “double wicked darkness” to contend with.
Sin
is at the heart of suffering and oppression and the Holy Spirit is
the cure. You can be a hero to someone by showing them God's love in
your word's and actions.
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