Acts 2:1-4
Verse 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
If you have ever spent time in deep prayer you will understand how easily time can get away from you as you spend time pouring out your heart to God. Just as spending time with friends can make time seem to fly by, time spent really focused in prayer does the same as we are opening our hearts to the best friend we have.
This is the kind of prayer these people were having in the upper room. They may not have been praying 24/7 but their hearts remained prayerful as they awaited the next chapter in the story. This prayerful waiting was one of hope as they knew Jesus would keep His word about sending the Helper. They may not have understood what was coming but they knew it would be great because it was coming from their dearest friend.
Imagine their surprise 10 days later as they are sitting around and the house is filled with a great sound like a violent wind. Like the roar of a violent tornado or derecho they are startled by this sound and yet shocked to not feel or see evidence of this wind they think they are hearing. They must have been looking around at each other with confused faces.
If that wasn’t strange enough they saw what looked like flaming tongues divide and while they watched, the segments of flames came to rest on each of them. They must have been in some sort of confused shock as they realized something supernatural was happening. It wasn’t their first experience with the supernatural but this was definitely something new!
Maybe the most shocking thing of all was they were suddenly filled with the Holy Spirit and were able to start talking in other languages. This may have been an answer to their prayers about how they were going to go into the world and spread the message. They would have been wondering how they were going to be able to speak to the people of other lands and may have even thought about how long it would take to learn other languages, knowing that would delay their being able to witness to other lands. But God had it all planned out in a way that blew their minds.
Making It Personal
When has God surprised you with an answer to prayer? Do you pray with the anticipation He will answer you? What do you need to pray about today?
Making It Personal Kids
Has God ever answered a prayer for you in a way you didn’t expect? Do you pray hoping He will answer? What do you need to pray about today?
Closing Prayer
Father, we repent that we don’t always pray with anticipation of Your answering or pray according to Your will. Give us prayerful hearts which know Your heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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