Extravagant Gifts

Extravagant Gifts

I will pour out my Spirit on all people.

Joel 2:28

IN WORD Joel foresaw a day in which God would inhabit human flesh rather than a holy building. For those of us on this side of the day of Pentecost, it’s hard to imagine the staggering implications for someone first hearing this prophetic prediction. Moses had spoken with God face-to-face, and prophets had heard His voice and seen His glory. But His Spirit on all flesh? That’s mind-boggling.

It makes sense, though, doesn’t it? Those like Isaiah and Ezekiel who saw visions of God saw Him surrounded by living creatures—angels to cover Him; awesome creatures with multiple faces, wings, and eyes who would move the appearance of His throne from place to place; and loud voices shouting His glory. There’s nothing inanimate about the presence of God. A temple made from rocks and trees could never be a permanent residence. It was only a shadow of the flesh God would one day inhabit. God not only entered this world through a baby in a manger, He now enters it daily through those of us who live and breathe His presence.

If you think about it, that’s the only way a desolate world can receive life. What God once created as a garden became a wasteland. There’s no way for a wasteland to flourish unless the source of life is showered on it again. God’s promise through Joel is to shower His life on this dark, dismal planet through those who know and believe that the Kingdom of God is in them. As people inhabited by the holy Presence, fragile clay vessels like us can become lights in the world.

IN DEED You may not feel like a light in the world today. You may not sense the Holy Spirit who was poured out on your flesh. One reason for your doubt may be that you’ve focused your attention on what you see rather than on what the Word has spoken to you. If so, the Presence will always be elusive to you, even though He is most certainly there. Believe that He’s there, rest in the fact, ask for His power and purpose, and watch what God does. The desolate wilderness around your living temple will begin to thrive.

All of the Holy Spirit’s influences are heaven begun, glory in the seed and bud.

—MATTHEW HENRY