WORD From The Woods
Acts 2:1-13
“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”
Let us not miss the forest for the trees in this passage. The focus here is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus promised during his ascension. The uneducated, fearful disciples who had fled during the crucifixion of Christ and had been hiding in Jerusalem are now being filled with the Spirit and radically transformed right before the eyes of the multitude.
Filled with the Holy Spirit, the disciples came out of hiding, stepped into the streets, and began declaring the mighty works of God. While the speaking of tongues is often highlighted as the central point of this passage, we see a consistent theme throughout Scripture:
The Spirit filled John the Baptist from birth (Luke 1:15) to proclaim the coming of the Lord. The Holy Spirit filled Elizabeth, causing her to cry out in joy over the child in Mary’s womb. And the Holy Spirit filled Zechariah, once struck mute, enabling him to prophesy and praise God’s faithfulness and salvation. The Bible makes it clear that those filled with the Holy Spirit consistently do one thing: they declare the mighty works of God.
This display of God’s power, in this passage, is a sign and fulfillment to all that the Holy Spirit is being poured out on all flesh (Joel 2:28). The same Spirit that performed miraculous wonders in Jerusalem is the Spirit that hovered over the waters in Genesis 1, one of the members of the Trinity who created all things, now dwells within us, filling us with power in the same way we see in this passage.
For those in the Forest Industry, this truth carries deep significance. Your daily labor—felling trees, hauling timber, and enduring the perils of the forest—reflects the grit and perseverance of a life dependent on God’s provision. He is the one who fills us, and is the one who empowers us, and provides all the means which we need to complete His divine will. Just as the Spirit filled the disciples to speak boldly, He equips you to proclaim Christ in your workplace.
As you fell timber, remember the Creator who formed every tree. As you cut and deck logs, reflect on Christ, broken for our sins. Around the warming fire, share the warmth of God’s love through your words and deeds, trusting the Spirit to make your testimony effective.
Are you relying on His power to live and witness for Christ, or leaning on your own strength?
Pray for boldness to share the gospel at your job site, through stories, kindness, or steadfast faith. Trust that the same Spirit who empowered the disciples will work through you to reach those around you.
Have a blessed week, -Ethan-
Acts 2:1-13
“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”
Let us not miss the forest for the trees in this passage. The focus here is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus promised during his ascension. The uneducated, fearful disciples who had fled during the crucifixion of Christ and had been hiding in Jerusalem are now being filled with the Spirit and radically transformed right before the eyes of the multitude.
Filled with the Holy Spirit, the disciples came out of hiding, stepped into the streets, and began declaring the mighty works of God. While the speaking of tongues is often highlighted as the central point of this passage, we see a consistent theme throughout Scripture:
The Spirit filled John the Baptist from birth (Luke 1:15) to proclaim the coming of the Lord. The Holy Spirit filled Elizabeth, causing her to cry out in joy over the child in Mary’s womb. And the Holy Spirit filled Zechariah, once struck mute, enabling him to prophesy and praise God’s faithfulness and salvation. The Bible makes it clear that those filled with the Holy Spirit consistently do one thing: they declare the mighty works of God.
This display of God’s power, in this passage, is a sign and fulfillment to all that the Holy Spirit is being poured out on all flesh (Joel 2:28). The same Spirit that performed miraculous wonders in Jerusalem is the Spirit that hovered over the waters in Genesis 1, one of the members of the Trinity who created all things, now dwells within us, filling us with power in the same way we see in this passage.
For those in the Forest Industry, this truth carries deep significance. Your daily labor—felling trees, hauling timber, and enduring the perils of the forest—reflects the grit and perseverance of a life dependent on God’s provision. He is the one who fills us, and is the one who empowers us, and provides all the means which we need to complete His divine will. Just as the Spirit filled the disciples to speak boldly, He equips you to proclaim Christ in your workplace.
As you fell timber, remember the Creator who formed every tree. As you cut and deck logs, reflect on Christ, broken for our sins. Around the warming fire, share the warmth of God’s love through your words and deeds, trusting the Spirit to make your testimony effective.
Are you relying on His power to live and witness for Christ, or leaning on your own strength?
Pray for boldness to share the gospel at your job site, through stories, kindness, or steadfast faith. Trust that the same Spirit who empowered the disciples will work through you to reach those around you.
Have a blessed week, -Ethan-