Bible Verse: “They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Acts 2:3-4)
Scripture Reading: Acts 2:1–7:60
Sitting in a room, following Jesus’ instructions to wait for the coming of the Spirit, the disciples had nothing but time.
It’s fun to wonder what they may have talked about. It’s possible that they were still asking whether it was time to take Israel back. Would the Spirit empower them to restore Israel to her rightful place among the nations?
It’s hard to wait, isn’t it, men? But they were waiting in yesterday’s verses when Jesus promised the Spirit. Their waiting was perhaps meant to prepare them. The waiting allowed them time to reflect and focus on Jesus’s words, remembering His life and work. Perhaps to put some pieces of the puzzle together about what His Kingdom looked like.
Our waiting is meant to accomplish the same things. In our own waiting on God, we need to focus on Him—who He is and what He has done in history and in our lives. Our waiting is not of the leg-crossing, thumb-spinning, or even phone-scrolling kind. Our waiting is a time to focus on what God may be preparing us to do…when the time is right.
Back in the upper room with the disciples, the time had finally come; the Holy Spirit descended. Violent wind and tongues of fire appeared—allusions to God’s presence with His people in the Tabernacle and Temple (Exodus 40:38; 2 Chronicles 7:1-3).
Each disciple got the “hot sauce” treatment. These tongues of fire were the last component for them to do exactly what Jesus had asked of them: be His witnesses.
And they did just that. What is fascinating at Pentecost is that they initially didn’t need to go anywhere. That day, the world came to them (see Acts 2:5).
The disciples knew when it was time to go (of course, their sign was very clear!), but they did not hesitate. When the Spirit came in the image of tongues, they spoke.
When it’s time, we need to move. Men, we wait when God says wait; we move when He says move. It is imperative that we follow God’s leading. We are not in charge. When we do follow God, God does what only He can do (see Acts 2:40-41).
Prayer: God, thank You for equipping us for what You have called us to. Help me to be patient enough to wait and bold enough to move when You call me to move. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Reflection: How do you know when God is telling you that it is time to move?
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