“God…can…pour out showers of blessing to refresh you.” (Acts 3:19)
“It’s raining, it’s pouring, the old man is snoring…”, a children’s rhyme. Well, rain it did last night; in fact the heavens opened and it absolutely poured.
Moisture must have literally gushed from thick, charcoal-colored clouds. The rainfall only added to the already full, swift current in the river behind us. This morning the river wasn’t just gurgling and bubbling along; it was moving steadily and forcefully. I could hear the roar of the waters before I was looking at it.
Cradling my first cup of coffee, I took a seat by the corner window and sat, mesmerized. It was so awesome to watch the water rushing downstream, pounding boulders and rocks in its way, with only the sodden banks on either side to contain it.
It made me think of when there was a great pouring out, back in an upstairs room, when the Holy Spirit flowed powerfully one morning, to people gathered together to pray (Acts 2). There was no containing the outpouring on that Pentecost day!
One of the many promises that God gives us in His Word is in the book of Joel, and again in Acts, where He says, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people.” (Joel 2 & Acts 2).
In this same book of Acts, the Lord speaks of His pouring out refreshing blessings when we turn back to Him (Acts 3). In the last book of the Old Testament (Malachi 3), He talks of pouring out abundant blessings we won’t even be able to contain.
Not holding back, pouring. Pouring out. Isn’t that our extravagant, wonderful, heavenly Father? Lord, thank You for Your awesome Holy Spirit, and thank You that You are today willing to pour out Your Spirit on us, Your sons and daughters who believe and are called by Your name. Amen!
That is very good news.
Inspirational messages by Sally I. Kennedy