The Spirit Dwells In Us
Acts 2:1-13, Leviticus 23:15-22, Psalm 139:23-24
When I was growing up, I didn't know much about God and when I would think about a “God” I imagined a big blue cloud man who looked down on me. Sometimes when I think about the Holy Spirit, I feel like that little girl again. I am not really sure what I should think about, and it seems a little bit too hard to grasp.
When we read this first section of Acts 2 it can be overwhelming, tongues of fire? A powerful wind? People speaking different languages? What does this all mean, and how am I supposed to respond to that?
God is so intentional in His plans. Fifty days after Passover, there was another celebration called the Feast of Firstfruits (Leviticus 23:15-22), a festival of thanksgiving for the harvested crops. This festival wasn’t just something you would celebrate in the backyard with your family, but it was an event that drew thousands of people back to Jerusalem where they get to witness the power of the Spirit and hear people praising God in their own tongue pressing forward the great commission.
The biblical authors used the word Ruakh to describe the spirit, it means “wind” or “breath”. Although we cannot see the Spirit, He is present and powerful, just like the wind and just like breath sustains our life, the Spirit also sustains life. In Exodus 19, God confirmed the validity of the Old Testament law with fire; the fire represents God’s purifying presence, which burns away the undesirable elements of our lives and sets our heart aflame to ignite the lives of others. The tongues represent the speech and communication of the Gospel, and people speaking praises in different languages gave an opportunity for people from all tribes and nations to hear the good news.
One thing we need to remember is that The spirit was active prior to pentecost (Genesis 1:1-2, 1 Samuel 16:13, Luke 1:30-37). God’s spirit always has been and always will be.he only thing that changes is the way the Spirit now interacts with God’s people. God’s presence has come to live with His people, to dwell inside them.
Through Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension, we have full access to the presence and power of God because His spirit lives inside of us. When you think about your life, do you live with that truth in mind?
How can you become more aware of the spirit in your life? Are there things in your life that grieve the spirit?
Spend some time praying through Psalm 139:23-24 and ask the Spirit to search your heart.
