Monday devotions@work 1 June 2020
On Sunday 31 May much of the South African church celebrated Pentecost. This year was a different but special Pentecost for several reasons. Church as we used to know it looks vastly different in this season of Covid-19 and lock down levels. In addition to that our President has called out a day of prayer. One thing we know without a shadow of a doubt is that the Holy Spirit cannot be locked down.
A few interesting facts about the day of Pentecost:
On Sunday 31 May much of the South African church celebrated Pentecost. This year was a different but special Pentecost for several reasons. Church as we used to know it looks vastly different in this season of Covid-19 and lock down levels. In addition to that our President has called out a day of prayer. One thing we know without a shadow of a doubt is that the Holy Spirit cannot be locked down.
A few interesting facts about the day of Pentecost:
- In the Old Testament journey of the people from Egypt to Sinai, Shavuot or Pentecost as we know it, is the day that God appeared to Israel on Mount Sinai.
- In the New Testament journey of the disciples it is the day the Holy Spirit was poured out on all flesh. Coincidence? Not in the least. The fact that this was one and the same day is spelled out to us in Acts 2:1 “when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” Besides the fact that they were together because Jesus told them to go to Jerusalem and wait there for the Promise of the Father, they would have wanted to be together on this day because in Biblical tradition it is the Feast of Shavuot.
- Both in the Old and New Testaments there are 50 days between the Feast of First Fruits and Pentecost.
- There is a New Testament fulfillment for all these feast days: Passover (Jesus the Passover lamb was crucified), First fruits (Jesus was resurrected) and 50 days later on Shavuot the Holy Spirit was poured out and it became known as the Feast of Pentecost.
- At Sinai, the people consecrated themselves and waited in anticipation for God to speak to them. In Jerusalem, the disciples waited in anticipation on the Promise from the Father that would empower them to become witnesses.
- At Sinai, the people were too scared to allow God to speak to them directly, and requested Moses to speak to God on their behalf. In Jerusalem, the disciples were all present and filled with the Holy Spirit who speaks to us directly – no more need for someone to hear God for us.
- In the Old Testament feast it was the day that God spoke to His people from the cloud on the mountain in thundering, lightnings, fire and the sound of a trumpet. In the New Testament it was the day that God the Holy Spirit was poured out on the people with a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and the divided tongues as of fire came and sat upon the people and filled them with the Holy Spirit and they began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 1 and 2)
- In the Old Testament God proceeded to give them the 10 commandments and He brought them into covenant with Him with the promise to be their God and the people agreed to be His. In the New Testament the law is written on our hearts as was prophesied in Jer. 31:33. The Holy Spirit was given as the seal and the down payment of our inheritance (Eph 1).
A few scriptures about the Holy Spirit:
John 14:26
“But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you”.
John 15:26
But when the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) comes, Whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth Who comes (proceeds) from the Father, He [Himself] will testify regarding Me.
Acts 1:8
But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.
The Holy Spirit was promised, the disciples had the faith that Jesus will keep His promise. Hebrews teach us that:
John 14:26
“But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you”.
John 15:26
But when the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) comes, Whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth Who comes (proceeds) from the Father, He [Himself] will testify regarding Me.
Acts 1:8
But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.
The Holy Spirit was promised, the disciples had the faith that Jesus will keep His promise. Hebrews teach us that:
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”
Heb. 11:1
Thus, let us be thankful and celebrate this season remembering that the Holy Spirit was the Promise from the Father given to dwell in us, to represent Jesus in and for us and to empower us to be witnesses for His Kingdom on earth until He comes again.
Let's ask The Father to again pour out His Holy Spirit on us for His promise still stands and He is faithful to His covenant with us.
Raise a Hallelujah... with Jonathan and Melissa Helser
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