READING: Judges 17-18, Psalm 21, Acts 1
The people in Jerusalem for the festival of Pentecost had heard Peter preach the Word. At first, they thought he and his colleagues were drunk because of the way they were acting under the influence of the Spirit’s coming—but then Peter stood up to preach. Using texts from the Old Testament, he explained the gospel and reminded his hearers that they had crucified the one who was both Lord and Messiah. They heard his word, took it to heart, deeply sensed their own guilt, and asked, “Brothers, what should we do?” (Acts 2:37). Apparently, the Spirit so convicted them that they knew they could not just stand there; they had to do something with the gospel. Thousands, in fact, were saved.
This same Spirit still works today as He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8). Somehow, the Spirit of God grabs our attention, brings us to grief over our sin, and leads us to look to God as the answer. None of us would do the same in our own power. Instead, we tend to live for ourselves, justify our sin, and look within to find our own answers to our problems. When the Spirit of God overwhelms us in the love of God, however, everything changes.
Perhaps today you remember when the Spirit first pierced you to your heart over your sin. I still do (now decades later), and I’m so grateful He never backed off. He changed my heart, and my life has never been the same.
PRAYER: “God, I thank You for the times when the Spirit pierces me to my heart.“
TOMORROW’S READING: Weekend is for catch-up and review
