Devotionals for the Heart: When God's Holy Spirit feels like a cool breeze

Holy Spirit: Our Cool of the Day
A devotional by Sharon Musgrove

“And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.”—Genesis 3:8 (ESV)

When in Hawaii, my husband and I leave the doors and windows open to take advantage of the ocean breezes.

Without the exposure to the weather, the space inside our home gets uncomfortably warm, making it difficult to sleep at night. Air conditioning is unusual in traditional tropical homes. Instead, high ceilings, louvered windows, and ceiling fans move the sea air throughout the house, taking the edge off the hot temperatures.

But when the trade winds weaken there is little that can subdue the heat. The humidity adds to the discomfort, making even the tile floors sticky under bare feet. Paradise isn’t so perfect without the quieting airflow.

The Bible introduces us to this breeze benefit in the coolest of ways in early Genesis (pun intended). The Holy Spirit of God is first mentioned as being active in creation prior to God’s voice calling light into action. We are introduced to the presence of God’s Spirit, in the likeness of a circulating trade wind in Genesis 1:2 (ESV) that says, “The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.”

Ruach is the Hebrew word for the Spirit of God and is also translated breath or wind. The Bible uses all these English words in its translation of Ruach. When humanity entered the scene, we get more intimate details of the interactions between God the Creator and man (Adam who was the first created human being). We see God using His breath to bring man to life (Genesis 2:7), and His word to instruct man on how to maintain life (Genesis 2:16).

Despite the beauty of paradise, the first humans ever created by God changed the climate with sin. Suddenly Adam and Eve (his wife) found themselves sweating in a sticky situation after choosing to circumvent God’s instruction on living well.

It’s at this moment that God comes in on a cool breeze. Let’s read about it in Genesis 3:8 (ESV): “And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.”

The phrase “cool of the day” in this verse is none other than Ruach! God’s Spirit, the One who hovered over a dark void, re-enters the scene as relief in a tense time.

We often read this scripture as the point when an angry God walks in to lay down the law on evil. But God identifies Himself as love, light, and through Ruach, a cool breeze. Instead of seeing our Savior as the volcano who needs to be appeased, He is the gentle wind who takes the heat off us.

From the foundation of the Earth and from our own first breath, God’s Spirit has been hovering and providing us an atmosphere of comfort. Jesus Christ reiterated this when promising the Holy Spirit to His followers in John 14:16 (ESV). He said, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.”

How we view the love of our Heavenly Father (God) matters to the climate of our lives. There is always a cool breeze available if we keep the windows and doors of our hearts open to God’s Spirit.

Let’s Pray: Holy Father, we are so grateful for your saving grace, and the gift of your Holy Spirit living within us. Help us recognize the cooling of your Holy Spirit in the heat of each day. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Fresh Wind” by Hillsong Worship. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Sharon Musgrove has a diverse background in business, fitness, and health industries. This background led her to a unique position writing curriculum and teaching for two private, Christ-based, residential recovery programs. Both programs primarily served women in the homeless community. 

Sharon has traveled multiple times to Kenya, serving on medical teams and teaching in the rural Maasai communities. She was privileged to participate in leadership camps for maturing young women. These annual camps have a mission of encouraging and empowering the impoverished, underprivileged, and often abused young Maasai girls.

Identifying personally with the brokenness of the women she’s served, Sharon sees the great need for encouragement and connection. Within ministries served, Sharon has witnessed the transformative power of loving words spoken to the broken-hearted. Sharing God’s love and building cross-cultural communities has become her passion.

In her leisure time, Sharon enjoys nature, deep conversations, and a good story. She and her husband, Jeff, divide their time between Oregon and Hawaii. They have two grown children.

Currently, Sharon is encouraging others via her inspirational blog, writing devotionals for other websites, and is working on a nonfiction book titled, The Whole-Of-Us: Putting Church Back Together.

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Connect with Sharon:
Email: sharon@sharonmusgrove.com
Website: Sharonmusgrove.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Sharon-Musgrove-Untethered-102208978041060
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonkmusgrove/