As lawyers, you know how much time, effort, and preparation it takes to do your job well. But have you ever thought about how the Holy Spirit is involved in making successful work possible? There are many stories throughout the Old Testament of the Spirit bestowing gifts of leadership, strength, skill, and speech to God’s people (Gideon, Samson, David, etc.).

Seven major points can be drawn from these ancient examples, and here are the final four. (Click here to see the previous devotional #1-3.)

4. The Spirit provides gifts when we need them.

God gave gifts to people in the Old Testament to enable them to lead the people of Israel in difficult times. The Judges were empowered to defend Israel. Samson, though in many ways unfaithful, was made stronger when the Spirit came upon him. We may be similarly equipped with gifts to lead our families and communities through difficult times, and we can pray that the Lord would provide such gifted persons in times of trouble.

5. The Spirit can increase our gifts for specific tasks.

God gave people with artistic skill even more skill through the Holy Spirit so they could fulfill his plans to build the tabernacle and fashion its utensils. Likewise, God can unfold, redirect, or develop the potential of the gifts he has given us. This applies to people with a variety of skill sets, not just those with artistic gifts. It is appropriate to pray that the Lord unfold withered or partially developed gifts.

6. The Spirit’s gifts apply to all contexts, not just spiritual ones.

God gave prophets the ability to speak about future events, but he also gave the ability to speak persuasively about present realities. The Holy Spirit can give people power to elicit trust through their speech. The Spirit can empower effective speech in even seemingly “secular” matters. In I Chronicles, Amasai’s gifting took place in a military context.

7. The gift of leadership applies on many levels.

The Spirit can give leadership not only to judges, but to other leaders in political power as well. This gift of leadership is still present, and we can ask for the Spirit to grant this power in both the church and the world.

As you go about your work, remember that you do not have to do it all by your own strength – the Spirit empowers you for it.

CLS Prayer

Dear God, Thank you for your Holy Spirit. Thank you for the gifts of the Holy Spirit and that I do not have to do anything alone. Help me remember that you have sent your Holy Spirit to guide, comfort, and empower me every day. Amen. 

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Art Lindsley, Ph.D. is vice president of theological initiatives at IFWE and author of C.S. Lewis’s Case for Christ, True Truth, Love: The Ultimate Apologetic, and co-author with R.C. Sproul and John Gerstner of Classical Apologetics.

The Institute for Faith, Work & Economics™, www.tifwe.org, is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) Christian research organization committed to promoting biblical and economic principles that help individuals find fulfillment in their work and contribute to a free and flourishing society.