By Fr Tadros Malaty
At the beginning of the journey of the children of Israel, through the wilderness, God gave them water out of the rock in Horeb. (Exod. 17) On their approach to the Promised Land, God presented them with water from Kadesh (Exod. 20).
Why is this?
At the beginning, you need the gifts of the Spirit, so that your thirst may be quenched and your wilderness is changed to divine paradise. When you cross the path you are quenched from the spring to experience the blessed and holy life. For the word “kadesh” means “holiness.” The story concluded with, “He was hallowed among them” (Num. 2:13).
This is an invitation for everyone to taste an enjoyable life with the Holy Spirit of God, Who is called “the sanctifying Spirit.” He grants us fellowship with God the Father, through His gracious Son, thus we are counted amongst the holy and blessed!
Do not be perturbed my dear youth, if you feel, as I do, that you are weak and if you are tried with thoughts and desires. For the Spirit of God, who abides in us, is capable of extricating our mundane nature, and bestowing on us a permanent renewal and a holy and blessed life in Him. Shout with David, “Create a pure heart in me, O Lord. And renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Get hold of the divine promise: “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. I will deliver you from all your uncleanness” (Ezek. 36:27,29).
How wonderful is God’s love! He faced the peoples’ malevolence and contentious nature towards Him and His servant Moses (Num. 20:3). And through His gifts He “was hallowed among them” (Num. 20:13). At Horeb God transformed thirst to living water, and in Kadesh he changed their contention into a holiness and a blessed life. This is the extent of God’s love and His graciousness to His people!
It is clear that the Holy Spirit is the source and power of holiness by which we partake in the holiness and blessedness of His grace. The experience of a close relationship with the Son of God allows us to participate in the sonship and attain the rank of children of God. Thus, the sharing in the Holy Spirit makes us spiritually holy.
From: Fiery Spirit
By: Fr Tadros Malaty
