PENTECOST -- A REVEALING BEGINNING -- Tomorrow:
"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:1-4)
Devotion 13 of 28
"And suddenly . . . "
All versions read the same. While the disciples were waiting, there was a sudden intrusion. While they were tarrying, something unnatural took place. It was as though something was being imposed upon them. Both time and space had to yield, for this was something superior to nature – something miraculous. The word "suddenly" means "unexpectedly, unawares" (FRIBERG), "at once, immediately" (LOUW-NIDA), and "of a sudden" (LIDDELL-SCOTT). This is something over which men have no power, to either purpose it or initiate it. It cannot be stopped by men or Satan. In this case, it involves heavenly beings invading, as it were, the domain of time and space. Such intrusions frequently occur in God's dealings with men.
1. A SUDDEN PREPARATION. "And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the people: for the thing was done SUDDENLY" (2 Chron 29:36).
2. SUDDEN SHAME. "Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed SUDDENLY"(Psa 6:10).
3. SUDDEN PUNISHMENT. "But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; SUDDENLY shall they be wounded" (Psa 64:7).
4. SUDDEN CALAMITY. "Therefore shall his calamity come SUDDENLY; SUDDENLY shall he be broken without remedy"(Prov 6:15).
5. SUDDEN DESTRUCTION. "He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall SUDDENLY be destroyed, and that without remedy" (Prov 29:1).
6. SUDDEN FULFILLMENT. "I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I showed them; I did them SUDDENLY, and they came to pass" (Isa 48:3).
7. GOD'S MESSENGER APPEARS SUDDENLY. "Behold, I will send My Messenger, and He shall prepare the way before Me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall SUDDENLY come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come, saith the LORD of hosts" (Mal 3:1).
8. SUDDENLY, A HEAVENLY HOST. "And SUDDENLY there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God . . . "(Luke 2:13).
9. JESUS APPEARS TO SAUL. "And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and SUDDENLY there shined round about him a light from heaven" (Acts 9:3).
10. A SUDDEN EARTHQUAKE. "And SUDDENLY there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed" (Acts 16:26).
11. CHRIST'S SUDDEN COMING. "Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming SUDDENLY He find you sleeping" (Mark 13:35-36).
All of this may appear to have little or nothing to do with our text, being nothing more than an academic study. But this is not at all the case. This is describing the manner of the Kingdom, and its superiority to this world and everything in it. Heaven is not subject to the laws of this world, and often does not act in accordance with them.
With God, things that appear impossible can happen suddenly. A despot like Herod can be suddenly struck down (Acts 12:23). Sennacherib's impressive army can be suddenly destroyed (2 Kgs 19:35). The soul can be suddenly illuminated, so that the things of God can be understood (2 Pet 1:19). Joseph can be suddenly exalted to the throne (Gen 41:39-40). Job's affliction can suddenly end (Job 42:10). Prayers can be suddenly answered (Acts 4:31). Gross sinners can be suddenly convicted (Acts 2:37; Acts 16:30). Hearts can be suddenly opened (Acts 16:14).
The saints of God must learn to live with THE SUDDEN FACTOR in mind. Conditions that are the result of long periods of time can be suddenly corrected, and what was taken restored (Joel 2:25). This is all involved in the phrase, "For with God nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:37). In fact, in this very chapter several remarkable things will happen suddenly.
Child of God, do not despair as you travail in prayer for matters of deep concern. In may be that in a moment everything will change, and you will become the head, and no longer be the tail (Deut 28:13). In fact, there is a day on God's calendar of purpose when a climactic change will take place. "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed" (1 Cor 15:52). You have "received a kingdom" (Heb 12:26) that is noted for causing sudden intrusions and changes. May you find grace to live with that in mind.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You that all things, whether in heaven, in earth, or under the earth, must yield to Your will. Grant me grace to be ready for such intrusions.