The Gift Of The Holy Spirit

Q. I really enjoy your website, thanks for all the work you do.  Here is my question.  In Psalms 51:11 David says” Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me”. First off, I thought believers were not given the Holy Spirit until after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.  My next question is why did he pray “take not thy Holy Spirit from me”? It sounds to me as if the Holy Spirit could be taken back.  Any insight into this scripture would be appreciated. Thank you!

A. Having the Holy Spirit sealed within us is a gift given exclusively to the church.  Before Pentecost and after the Rapture, the Holy Spirit is said to be “with” a person and can even “come upon” a person, but is never described as dwelling within a person.   Therefore David was justifiably concerned that the Lord could remove the presence of the Holy Spirit from his life because of his sin with Bathsheba.  After all, David had seen the same thing happen to Saul  after he disobeyed (1 Sam. 16:14).  Since the  Holy Spirit is sealed within us as a guarantee of our inheritance, you and I need have no such fear.