And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.
Acts 2:2
It was a crisp October morning as I sat in the car overlooking beautiful Montagu Bay. My vehicle was provided to my wife Emily and me by our gracious hosts, Sir Durward (the first Olympic gold medal winner from the Bahamas) and Lady Holly Knowles, during my week of ministry among the dear people at the Nassau Ebenezer Methodist Church.
As I viewed the wide assortment of commercial and pleasure boats on the bay that day, I was struck by the sight of the sailboats being pushed gently along by the wind. Tilting slightly to the side, these motorless vessels—each majestic in its own right—made no sound, except that caused by nature, as they effortlessly pursued their destinations.
The power propelling these sailboats was unseen and unheard, but the effects were real and observable. Vessels, which apart from the wind would remain motionless and useless, were traveling according to plan. They were fulfilling the very purpose of their respective creators.
Of the several symbols for the Spirit of God in the Scriptures, wind is one. Interestingly enough, both the Hebrew and Greek words for “Spirit” are also two of the same words rendered as “wind.” Wind is a mysterious force, providing energy and power, motion and refreshment, evoking awe among its respectful witnesses. So is the Spirit of God.
Just as the mysterious, sovereign Spirit generates life in men and women dead in their sins (see John 3), so this same Spirit empowers Christ’s thirsty-hearted disciples with energy to do the will of the Father in this world: “And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind…. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:2, 4).
It is one of God’s axioms: Whoever by God’s grace will hoist his sail to catch the Wind, the Spirit of God will fill that person, achieving his purposes in and through such a life.
Pray with me the prayer of Edwin Hatch (1835-1889):
Breathe on me, breath of God,
Fill me with life anew,
That I may love what Thou dost love,
And do what Thou wouldst do.
Breathe on me, breath of God,
Until my heart is pure,
Until with Thee I will one will,
To do and to endure.
Breathe on me, breath of God,
Blend all my soul with Thine,
Until this earthly part of me
Glows with Thy fire divine.
Taken from . . .
Renewed by the Spirit: 365 Daily Meditations
by Ralph I. Tilley
copyright © 2016 Ralph I. Tilley
(May be copied for noncommercial purposes,
not to exceed 500 copies.)
