Come Holy Spirit Series
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Come Holy Spirit |
Come, Holy Spirit: The Spirit of Knowledge and Fear of
the Lord
As we draw closer to the
end of our “Come, Holy Spirit” series, we find ourselves before two of the most
profound and soul-penetrating gifts: Knowledge and Fear of the Lord.
At first glance, these may seem like polar opposites—knowledge being the
pursuit of truth and fear being something we often try to overcome. But in the
context of the Holy Spirit’s work within us, these gifts are inseparably
intertwined, leading us into true intimacy with God.
The Spirit of Knowledge
and Fear of the Lord does not merely educate the mind or frighten the soul.
Instead, these gifts reorder our desires, reframe our understanding of God, and
inspire awe and surrender. They awaken us to what it means to be known and
loved by God—and to respond with reverence and humility.
Scriptural Foundation
“And the Spirit of the
Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of
counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.”
— Isaiah 11:2
(Isaiah 11:2)
This verse from the
prophet Isaiah lays out the Sevenfold Gifts of the Holy Spirit — a prophetic
description of the Spirit resting upon the Messiah. Today, we reflect on the
final two gifts in this sequence: Knowledge and Fear of the Lord.
The Prophet Isaiah
describes the fullness of the Spirit resting upon the Messiah in these words:
“The Spirit of the
Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of
counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.”
This pairing of knowledge
and fear of the Lord appears as the final in the list of the seven gifts of the
Holy Spirit. Their placement is significant—inviting us not only into
discernment and strength but into reverent relationship.
What Do These Gifts
Mean?
Knowledge is not
just the accumulation of facts or intellectual prowess. In the biblical sense,
it is a deep spiritual awareness — a knowing that comes from the heart
and is illuminated by the Spirit. It helps us see things as God sees them: with
clarity, compassion, and truth.
Fear of the Lord
is not about being frightened by God. Rather, it is a reverent awe, a holy
respect. It is the awareness of God’s majesty and our own creatureliness. This
fear draws us closer, not further away, because it keeps us grounded in
humility and reverence.
These two gifts are often
paired because they balance one another beautifully: Knowledge enables
us to discern the world through God’s eyes, while Fear of the Lord
ensures we never become proud in that knowledge.
Theological Insight:
Knowing as Belonging
The Spirit of Knowledge
is not about accumulation of facts, but about divine intimacy. It enables us to
see the world through God’s eyes—not merely what is, but what could be when
touched by grace.
It teaches us:
- To discern between what is fleeting and what is eternal.
- To recognize the presence of God in creation, in others, and in ourselves.
- To detach from pride and possessions that dull our spiritual sight.
Meanwhile, the Fear of
the Lord is the natural response to this knowledge. When we see God’s
majesty and understand our beloved smallness, reverence is born. This is not
fear of punishment, but fear of wounding love—a holy sensitivity to
anything that would separate us from the One we love.
St. Hilary of Poitiers
puts it beautifully:
"All our fear of
God is in our love of Him."
Liturgical Echoes and
the Saints
In the liturgy, the fear
of the Lord is not a theme of despair but one of humble praise. The
Preface of the Eucharistic Prayer often speaks of our voices joining with the
angels “in awe and wonder.” This is fear of the Lord—not anxiety, but
exaltation.
Saint Catherine of Siena,
a Doctor of the Church, once prayed:
“O eternal God, You
are a deep sea, in which the more I seek, the more I find, and the more I find,
the more I seek to know You. You fill the soul, yet are never emptied.”
This yearning is born
from the Spirit of Knowledge, and the trembling awe from such an encounter is
the Fear of the Lord.
A Heart Transformed by
Knowledge and Awe
When we are filled with
the Spirit of Knowledge, we begin to understand the deeper purpose
behind life’s events. We grow in spiritual discernment. We start to recognize
God's fingerprints in creation, in suffering, in silence, in Scripture, and in
the people around us.
And when we are filled
with Fear of the Lord, we are no longer casual in our relationship with
God. We stand in awe of His power, mercy, and love. This awe leads to trust,
obedience, and a hunger for holiness.
Together, these gifts
purify our vision, humble our hearts, and deepen our intimacy with God.
Holy Spirit, Help Me…
- …to see beyond surface appearances.
- …to cherish the wisdom of Scripture, saints, and the Church.
- …to be in awe of Your majesty and mercy.
- …to live each moment with reverence and gratitude.
- …to stay humble even as You reveal more of Your truth.
Act of Reverence: Bow before the tabernacle or during the Gloria with intention, acknowledging His majesty.
Silent Awe: Spend time simply resting in God's presence, allowing awe to arise not from emotion but from grace
What truth is the Spirit trying to reveal to me this week?
Open my eyes to see what You see—
the glory in the hidden, the eternal in the ordinary.
Help me to walk gently, to love truthfully, to worship reverently.
May my heart tremble not with terror but with love,
and may I never lose the wonder of being called Yours.
Amen.
Let us make space in our
week for these gifts to grow:
Praying with Scripture
— Proverbs 1:7
— Psalm 139:1,6
“The fear of the Lord
is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
“O Lord, You have
searched me and known me... Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty
for me to attain.”
Reflection Prompt
When was the last time I
stood in awe before God — not in fear, but in reverent wonder?
A Prayer to the Spirit
of Knowledge and Fear of the Lord
Come, Holy Spirit,
Spirit of Knowledge and holy Fear.
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