‘Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.’ Acts 2:2-3 (NIV).
Why did the Holy Spirit descend upon the believers in the form of tongues of fire? Tongues represented speech and the communication of the gospel. It was through speech that Jesus’ message would be distributed throughout the known world. Fire symbolizes God’s purifying presence, which burns away the undesirable elements of our lives and sets our hearts aflame to ignite the lives of others.
God made His presence known to this group of believers in a spectacular way that attracted much interest and awe from the international crowd gathered for Pentecost. We too long for God to reveal Himself through us in such recognizable ways.
He may do so, but we must be aware of placing expectations upon how God works. At Pentecost He used signs such as wind, fire and the outpouring of His Holy Spirit. But He may also use different signs with us.
In 1 Kings 19:10-13, Elijah needed a message from God. First came a great wind, then an earthquake, and finally a fire. But God’s message came in a ‘gentle whisper.’ As we wait upon God for answers, He may use dramatic methods to speak, or He may just speak in gentle whispers. Let’s not put parameters on how we expect God to reveal Himself to us or to others.
Prayer:
‘Dear God, you are a mighty and powerful God. I give myself to you so that you can fill me with your power and presence. Take my life and set my heart aflame so that others will see your amazing presence in me’
In Jesus’ Mighty Name,
AMEN!
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Final Thoughts:
How does the events at Pentecost sit with us today? Do we shy away from believing that God can do miraculous acts in our life as evidence of His Spirit at work? Can we give God the freedom to move however He desires in our life?
Give God the permission to speak through our life in whatever way He wants so that His name will be glorified. On the day of Pentecost after the outpouring of the Spirit, ‘those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number’ (Acts 2:41). There is nothing too difficult for Him.
Be Greatly Blessed!
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