Daily Devotion, May 25, 2020

Devotion: Read Acts 1:1-5.

I love the way Luke writes -- always carefully researched, well organized, and logical. Volume One was his Gospel, and now begins Volume 2, the Book of Acts, the story of the apostles’ ministry and of the early church following the resurrection and ascension of Christ. As I read these verses, I stopped and reread verse 2. It clearly says that Christ gave instructions to the apostles through the Holy Spirit before being taken up into heaven. I had not noticed that before. I turned to the commentaries of Dr. Willam Barclay, who acknowledges in writing about this passage that it is not always easy to draw a line between the work of the Risen Christ and that of the Holy Spirit. He continues by telling us we don’t need to worry about that. God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; and God is one!

Perhaps the most important point for us comes in verse 5 when the apostles were told to wait for the Holy Spirit. I have seen churches and individuals miss opportunities for ministry as they drag their feet and fail to take action while “waiting for the Spirit to move.” I am rarely guilty of that, but sometimes I may need to wait a bit for the Holy Spirit to guide me. The apostles did not have to wait long, and neither will we have long to wait for the Spirit’s guidance. Personal Worship Option: Give thanks today that God is with us always. As you think of decisions and choices you, your family, and your church may be making in the near future, pray for the Holy Spirit’s presence and guidance.