ESOCS Devotional 31 May
TEXT: JOEL 2:28-32
MEMORY VERSE: “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people…” Joel 2:28
The prophecy of Joel to the people of Judah came at a time in history that a massive locust plague and severe draught devastated Judah. God allowed it to punish the sins of His people (Joel 1:1-4; 2:25). Our text presents the restoration and blessing that will come to the people after judgment and repentance. We learn here that God’s will to bless His people shows no discrimination. The mission of this message is to ensure that each one of us becomes conscious of the Lord’s generosity, and ask for his own portion.
The Spirit of God is the carrier of His blessings. Though human beings exist in the physical, a God in the spiritual made humans physical (Gen 1: 27). This same God has a spiritual formula unknown to man through which His divine will manifests in man. In the time past, God empowered men and women chosen by Him with His Spirit and power to bless the life of others in one way or the other. Noah, Abraham, David, and others had in history been greatly spiritually equipped to bless the life of God’s people. However, in our text, at about 500 years before the birth of Jesus Christ, it pleased God to make this promise to release His Spirit on all people. This is indeed what Moses prayed for (Num. 11:29). Verse 28 of our text says, “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh….” ESOCS Devotional 31 May
The Spirit of God makes a difference in the life of men. It gives divers spiritual abilities according to the will and purpose of God for each person. God does not discriminate with regard to gender, age, or rank. He distributes His spiritual wealth according to the plan or mission He assigns to each person. In verses 28b and 29, we read, “Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams; your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my spirit in those days” (see also Eph. 4:6).
Read yesterday’s ESOCS devotional here
Yes, the function of the Spirit of God in the life of men is to do the will of God through signs and wonders that shall be manifest to all that dwell on earth. No doubt, God has manifested several of these signs and wonders in our midst indeed. The evidence abounds in churches today. In verses 30 and 31, we read, “I will show wonders in heaven and on the earth….before the coming of the dreadful day of the LORD”
If any one of us still lives in weakness and inability to do exploits in the Lord’s service and in private life, such a person has himself to blame. Since the day of Pentecost, the Holy Ghost power has been moving like a whirlwind all over the world. Daily, thousands of souls are coming to the Lord receiving great spiritual enablement. The time is now. Give your life to Christ now and invite Him into your life. In verse 31, we read, “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
CHALLENGES: What is your portion/duty in the Lord’s service? What do you have to give?
PRAYER POINT: Thou oh Lord are all-sufficient. Let me never lack the Spirit and power to carry out my mission in your service. Let there be an overflow of your Spirit in me, in Jesus name. Amen
FURTHER READING: 1 Samuel 22:11-23; John 1:15-33; Acts 2:1-21
