Acts 2:1–4

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

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While the sound of a mighty wind, the appearance of divided flames of fire, and speaking with other tongues all accompanied the first outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, only speaking in tongues remained as a recurring, normative experience throughout the New Testament as the initial sign of receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:45–46; 19:6). The sign of tongues fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy that God would speak to His people with “stammering lips and another tongue” (Isaiah 28:11; I Corinthians 14:21–22).

Stepping outside in late November or early December in Ghana, West Africa, introduces a person to a world cloaked in dust. A strong wind known as harmattan blows dust for hundreds of miles. As it travels from the Sahara Desert into West African countries, this dust cloud crosses the Atlantic Ocean with consistency thick enough to interrupt an aircraft’s visibility. The evidence of this movement is unmistakable. Wind is a powerful force.

The spiritual wind those in the upper room experienced was powerful enough to still be felt today. God dwells within us; the Holy Spirit leads, guides, and directs us. Allow God to move on you and direct your steps today. Like the wind, His Spirit is powerful, but unlike the wind, His Spirit won’t block your view; His Spirit will make your path clearer.

That concludes our devotional for today. Let us finish with a word of prayer.

WORD OF PRAYER

Jesus, I thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who was poured out on the Day of Pentecost and continues to move in the lives of believers today. I ask You to fill me with Your Spirit, guiding and directing my steps just as You did with those in the upper room. Lord, let Your Spirit move powerfully in my life, bringing clarity and strength as I walk in Your ways. Help me to be sensitive to Your leading and to follow wherever You direct. I surrender to Your will, trusting that Your Spirit will guide me in truth.

In the name of Jesus, amen.