God's Glory Church

“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them to speak.” — Acts 2:4

During a discussion of a book on the Holy Spirit written by German theologian Jürgen Moltmann, who was ninety-four years old at the time, a journalist asked him: “How do you activate the Holy Spirit? Do you have to take a pill? Do pharmaceutical companies make these?” Moltmann’s thick eyebrows shot up. Shaking his head, he smiled and replied in a thick German accent, “How to activate? No way! Wait for the Holy Spirit and He will come.”

Moltmann pointed out the false idea that God’s work is done by our strength and skill. The book of the Acts of the Apostles shows that it is done by God Himself. When the first church appeared, there was nothing like human strategy or impressive leadership. The Holy Spirit came with a noise, “as if a storm broke out suddenly, and filled the whole house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:2). Then He broke down all the international barriers, gathering previously hostile people into one new community. The apostles were no less amazed than others, looking at what God was doing with them. They themselves did nothing, “the Spirit spoke” (v. 4).

The success of our work and the life of the church is not determined by our abilities. We are totally dependent on what only the Spirit of God can do. This allows us to be bold and calm at the same time. Celebrating the day of Pentecost, we will wait together for the coming of the Holy Spirit and act together with Him.

Are you tempted to rely on your own strength and abilities? Where should we expect the action of the Holy Spirit?

God, I exhausted myself thinking that I had to do everything myself. Holy Spirit, help me!

Author: Wynn Collier