A Time of Waiting
Monday, May 24, 2004
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My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, Life is never as simple as I want it to be. Sometimes life seems crushing and overwhelming. I find myself waiting in the midst of delays, difficulties and dead-ends, and I confess that it is hard to wait. I thank You for the instruction that Jesus gives the apostles in today’s Scripture to wait until they receive power and then go. Fill me with the Holy Spirit that I may have the power necessary to face the delays, difficulties and dead-ends that build my faith, but which can also frustrate and overwhelm me. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I may know Your presence deeply and fully, and that I may share Your Good News near and far. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God's Word For Me Today
Acts 1:6-11
6When the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, are you going to free Israel now and restore our kingdom?”
7“The Father sets those dates,” he replied, “and they are not for you to know. 8But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9It was not long after he said this that he was taken up into the sky while they were watching, and he disappeared into a cloud. 10As they were straining their eyes to see him, two white-robed men suddenly stood there among them. 11They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing here staring at the sky? Jesus has been taken away from you into heaven. And someday, just as you saw him go, he will return!”
Reflecting on God's Word
What is the longest that you ever had to wait for something important in your life?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
When the disciples wanted to know about the future, what answer did Jesus give them? (1:6-7)
What command did Jesus give the apostles in today’s Scripture? (1:8)
What happened after Jesus gave the command and how did the apostles respond? (1:9-11)
Understanding God's Purpose
How do we see God’s purpose at work in Jesus NOT answering the apostles when they wanted to know when God was going to restore the kingdom to Israel?
How do we see God’s purpose at work in Jesus command to wait-receive power—then go?
Applying God's Word to Our Lives
What is the most important application of today’s Scripture to your life right now?
Thoughts...Wait - Receive Power - GO!
The apostles wanted to know when God was going to complete His work on the earth and restore the Kingdom to Israel—that is to make Israel the center of all earthly power and attention. Jesus told them that it wasn’t for them to know, and that even He didn’t know when that would happen, that God alone would decide. Then Jesus gave them this vital instruction—Wait—Receive Power—Go! They were to go back to Jerusalem and WAIT—that’s it just wait. They weren’t to do anything, until they RECEIVED POWER. What power? The power of the Holy Spirit. God was going to pour out the Holy Spirit just as He promised, when Jesus returned to heaven. Then the apostles were to GO! Go where? To people everywhere, starting with where they were—Jerusalem, then expanding to the rest of Judea and Samarian, and then to the ENDS OF THE EARTH! Their mandate is ours. We can’t go, before we receive power. We won’t receive power until we WAIT. Waiting is never fun, but it is the first step in fulfilling the Great Commission. Even when we have the Holy Spirit waiting is still part of the process…