Great Plains Daily Devotional for 6/13/2020

Joel 2:28-29

Then afterward
    I will pour out my spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
    your old men shall dream dreams,
    and your young men shall see visions.
Even on the male and female slaves,
    in those days, I will pour out my spirit.

The Holy Spirit outpouring is powerful to fathom in the “Catch the Fire” momentum. I am calling it the “Holy Spirit operation” as the church marches on with power like the days of Pentecost. The church doors are physically closed, yet there is such a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit in homes and around the globe. The church has now advanced in power and mighty in the midst of the torrents which beat against the church doors. Hearts have been strengthened and many have turned their lives to God via social media.

“Afterward” means the challenges we have encountered awhile are outwitted by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2 fulfills the word afterward when the Upper Room was inflamed by tongues of fire upon the 120 church believers. Luke’s narrative expounds in the “God of the suddenly” poured his Spirit upon the waiting believers in the Upper Room.
Joel spoke highly about the Holy Spirit in the midst of the challenges of his day. Yes, floods of winds of change mounted, turmoil occurred upon Joel’s people, but God had not forgotten about his people. A prophecy of the future was pronounced loudly: And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. The inclusiveness of the outpouring of God’s Spirit upon all flesh expands the church in her mission. Hence, the church is unstoppable because the Holy Spirit enables her to function mightily.

Afterward denotes to a previous negative event which had ravaged the people of “all flesh”. All flesh is under the attack of this invisible beast that is COVID-19. But the good news to believers is that there is an aftermath news of operation which is the Holy Spirit. God continues to pour out the Holy Spirit who refreshes, revives, strengthens, guides, and directs us in all truth. So, Joel’s prophecy alerts us to yield to this great outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This is power beyond human power which transforms the entire world.

Lessons to learn from Joel:

• There is such an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the universe, it is time to catch the fire wherever we are.
• We have to experience this great revival among us. The Holy Spirit lives and reigns among God’s people. Acts of the church are manifested from our homes to the end of the world.
• Stay connected to the mighty power and function under Holy Spirit influence.
• God shows no partiality to his creation because Joel says: “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream.” We are dreamers and prophets in God’s Kingdom.

Prayer for Reflection

Genesis 1:1-2,4a
Psalm 8
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Matthew 28:16-20