The Result of Waiting

The disciples waited at Jerusalem as they were instructed to do by Jesus.  Pentecost was a powerful work upon them, by God’s grace.  They proved the scripture:

Hebrews 11:1-3  “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.   For by it the elders obtained a good report.  Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”

These Elders of the faith were able to receive from God, far beyond what the mind could conceive, ours or theirs.  The outpouring of this  gift of the Holy Spirit the was assurance that God’s promises never fail.  The words that Jesus spoke had the full backing of His Father.  Pentecost was able to convince them that what had transpired was God’s work.  Jesus was indeed the Messiah that Israel had been waiting for, for so many years.  It was this convincing that caused those early Elders to carry the Gospel to the farthest corners of the world.

The convincing by God hasn’t ended.  The Good News of Jesus Christ is carried still today, by believers on and in whom, the Holy Spirit comes.  It brings a power to change lives, the gift of repentance, and it brings faith to believe the Gospel and the convincing power to trust in God and His promises.  Jesus told us us it is expedient that He return to His Father, so that this third part of the Godhead many come and lead us to all Truth and to supply us with the comfort and consolation only God an give.

The One who created the “things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”, has created in each of us an undying soul.  He calls us to an eternal fellowship, because He loves us.  The Hebrews writer talks about  it in the 7th chapter of his writings in verse 16: ” Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.”  Jesus came, suffered, and died on the Cross, and rose again, fulfilling all things to bring us life.  Not a temporary life but an endless life!  Power to live by His grace today with the knowledge that death is only the beginning.  He was described as the firstborn of every creature by the Apostle Paul:

“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.   And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.  For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;  And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”  Colossians 1: 15-20

Waiting on God is a special blessing.  The original language gives us a picture of the word wait.  It is the picture of a stranded rope.  A stranded rope is one that has many threads that are twisted together.  Ever so much stronger than just a single thread.  A picture of strength found in God alone!  We also may find strength in being intertwined with the Word of our God.  There is the place where we find strength for the day, strength for our trials, and yes, strength to praise Him.  The season of Pentecost is the longest season of the church year.   The season  continually points us to the powerful working of the Holy Spirit.  We need to know where to find strength, on this journey of life.  A good reason, for the length of the season that brings us to the “school of the Holy Spirit”.

The Elders received a good report, because they waited on God and His time.  They were lead to the fountains of living water.  They drank of that life-giving stream, that flowed from heaven itself.  We have been blessed because they went out and shared this Gospel with the world around them, wherever they went.  May you also drink of that same source!

Pastor Stan