2:5 And there were
dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And
when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused,
because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all
amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak
Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we
were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia,
Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the
parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,
11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful
works of God.” 12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another,
“Whatever could this mean?”
Easy to read past this quickly and assume it has little or
nothing to do with me or our time and place. But then I look at our world today
and I smile. I smile because I know the wind will soon blow here and the fire
will fall. I smile because in spite of all the fighting, prejudice, terrorism,
fear, uncertainty, and chaos there are still devout men and women from every
nation under heaven. God will find a way to reach them all. Each will hear His
message in their own language.
I do not know exactly how He will do it. I do not exactly
when He will do it, but I am certain that He will. Regardless of nationality,
gender, colour, or any of the other ways we classify and divide ourselves we
are all His children and when the time is right He will gather us and as Jesus
said "There will be one fold and one Shepherd."
It's important to recognize that the circumstances that made
this moment possible and the moment itself were not orchestrated by any man. It
was not some brilliant strategy hatched in that room by the 120. They were as
much spectators as the crowd. Their only part was that they were following.
They were cooperating. They positioned themselves through obedience and
submission to have front row seats in this amazing unifying display of the love
and power of God. The crowd had positioned themselves through obedience and
submission to come to Jerusalem from all over the world to worship on this
special day. They could have stayed home because finances were tight or the
barn needed work or because Susie had an appointment but they didn't let any of
those life pressures stop them.
Several times I found myself extremely blessed by the comfort
and presence of God in places I almost didn't go. Circumstances and legitimate
excuses almost prevented me. In those moments of experiencing Him two thoughts
occur to me. "What if I hadn't come?" and "How many times have I
missed such experiences because I didn't obey and submit and go?"
Sometimes these moments are at the bedside of a dying person.
Sometimes they are at the home of someone God prompted me to visit. These
moments of His undeniable presence can't be manufactured or planned. They come
seemingly spontaneously and unexpectedly yet they always have one factor in
common. They always happen when I am in the center of His will. They happen
because I chose to listen and follow.
Amazing events are soon to take place. Most will miss them
because they never positioned themselves through submission and obedience.
Where will you and I be when the wind shakes this world and
devout men and women from every nation hear His voice in their own language?
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