The hovering Spirit of God

“And the earth was a formless and desolate emptiness, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was “hovering”over the surface of the waters.”

Genesis 1:2 (NASB)

Webster’s literal definition for the word “Hover,” in today’s dictionary is “to position a computer cursor over an image or icon without selecting it.” Webster’s dictionary has certainly modernized its terms and definitions according to computer terminology. Before computers, the definition of hover in Webster’s dictionary was, 

“to move about to and fro waveringly near a place or object.” 

The word, hover, has been around for centuries. It’s found in the book of Genesis, which was written about 1400 years BC. The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters in the story of creation, moving to and fro. He’s called the “Ruach Elohim” in Jewish culture. Ruach means Spirit and Elohim is the Hebrew word for God, except that the word for God, is in the plural form.

Elohim has always been in plural form, throughout scripture, by ending in “IM”. If God is a Trinity, it makes perfect sense for the writer of Genesis to refer to Him as Elohim (plural) instead of El (singular).

The plural form is still used by the Jewish people today, in their prayers. Elohim is still the accepted Hebrew name for God, even though they don’t believe in a Trinity as Christianity does. It’s kind of the elephant in the room, that God’s name always was, is now, and always will be, in plural form. 

We don’t have to fully understand the concept of a Trinity, in order to appreciate who each person of the Trinity is. The nature of the Holy Spirit has always been to hover, as He did at creation. It’s just natural to invite Him into our lives, since He is  already hovering around us. Jesus made one statement that contains the essence of a Trinity. He said, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, the Spirit of truth.” 

(John 14:16)

Jesus asked the Father to send us the Spirit, our hovering helper, the third person of the Trinity.

Since the Spirit of God has been hovering over the desolate, dark places of this world since creation, He is also hovering over each human being, especially those who feel like they are living in some form of dark emptiness. He hovers over people who are struggling with poverty,  loneliness, depression, even those who express no need for God at all. The Holy Spirit is hovering in pursuit of all people, because that’s just who He is by nature.

The very nature of the Ruach Elohim in Genesis, the Spirit of God, is to hover over people, places and things. With this image in mind, we can pray and ask the Spirit of God to come and hover over our children, our loved ones, or any problems that we are facing.

We can ask Him to hover over our efforts to help others, in whatever ministry we serve in. Leaders can ask Him to hover over their nation. Ministers and Pastors can ask the Spirit to hover over their churches. Surgeons can ask the Spirit to hover over their hands during surgery. First responders can ask the Spirit to hover over all they do to serve, save and protect. We can ask Him to hover over our mind, body and spirit, while facing stressful situations, and He will give us His peace, which surpasses all human understanding. The opportunities are endless and as infinite as God Himself is. 

Lord, we believe that your Spirit is hovering and ready to engage with us, and with every person, place and area in our lives. Remind us that you are always close by, so that we will invite you in, to help and guide us each day. Amen

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