SATURDAY September 17, 2022 

A Mighty Rushing Wind

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Acts 2:2

Do you recognize that the hearts of 120 believers were united––knitted together as one? In an upper room in Jerusalem, in one accord, they patiently waited for the Holy Spirit to descend upon them. The Holy Spirit came suddenly on the Day of Pentecost. This incredible event was the beginning of the Church. 

A mighty, rushing wind filled the entire house. It was literally a violent wind that sounded like a hurricane. The rushing wind came suddenly. The word suddenly in the Greek means to be “unaware” or “unexpectedly.” Although it violently shook the place where they stayed, these Christians were not shaken in heart, nor did they panic. They had waited for God’s anointing, then the Holy Spirit came, and now they would move to do ministry in His power and not their own. They had full trust and dependency in God. 

Notice, everything that happened on the Day of Pentecost was orderly. Christ’s followers were baptized with the Holy Spirit and remained seated. They were not running around, shouting, or acting out of control. They were in control of their emotions, and their hearts and minds were focused on the Lord. When some people receive the Holy Spirit, they may look for some kind of wonder or miracle, but we walk by faith. 

God, through His Spirit, will give us a hunger and thirst for His Word. He will assure us of His love through His Word and remind us through His Spirit, “I love you, I am with you.” Have you ever felt the Holy Spirit’s presence? At times while playing praise music, have you found yourself crying like a baby? It is the Holy Spirit ministering to you. I would rather have this kind of affirmation of His love, by faith, than to see an angel. 

Before Christ sent the church into the world, he sent the Spirit into the church. The same order must be observed today.
~John R. W. Stott~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!