Dennis Van Gorp
Reading from Joel 2:28,29 – “And it will be that, afterwards, I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. Even on the men servants and maid servants in those days I will pour out My Spirit.”
The Hebrew word for spirit here is ruah, sometimes translated as wind or breath. So, the Old Testament references to the breath of God or a wind from God can also refer to the activity of God’s Spirit. We tend to think primarily only of the Holy Spirit activity as found in the book of Acts.
The Spirit actively speaks God’s message to His people throughout the Holy Scriptures. In those Scriptures, we find God’s Spirit inspiring, directing and empowering His servants to boldly speak to others, showing them God’s truth. He was able to work through them so the people could hear ‘from’ God.
God uses faithful people, those open to His Spirit, to speak for Him, relaying His truth to the people. This is the very same Spirit who worked with Gideon, David, Zerubbabel, the disciples, Paul, Peter and many others. And best of all: He works today through you and me. We are “His” hand extended to others!