Sep 29

A powerful example of the power of the Holy Spirit to transform weak human beings into dynamic witnesses for Christ is found in Acts 2, the church's first Pentecost. There, the Holy Spirit came down upon those present and made himself known in the form of tongues of fire. That account says that those witnessing this heard the disciples speaking to them in their own language.

We normally associate power with great displays of raw, visible power, such as Elijah witnessed by the cave, when the Lord caused the whole mountain to shake and a tremendous wind tore the rocks. Yet God, though he is infinite in his power, was in none of the demonstrations that he provided that humans normally associate with power. Instead, he came in a still, small voice.

There is power in words. Language and communication are mighty power veiled in seemingly insignificant little utterances and scratches on paper. Yet that is the means God has chosen to reveal himself.

The Scriptures can be seen as nothing more than ink on paper, yet within those pages the Spirit who caused men to write those words lives, and when those words are read or proclaimed from the lips of God's witnesses to this generation, faith is created in the hearers and they are raised from the dead with Christ into new life in him.

Tongues of fire are an appropriate symbol for the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

Scripture for today: Acts 2
Thought for today: The Holy Spirit speaks with tongues of fire.
Prayer for today: Holy Spirit, set my tongue on fire for you. Let me speak of Jesus boldly to this generation.

SEP 29