Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
The Church has to be on the watch
Acts 1:12-14
Vs 14: They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brother.
Waiting on the Lord may be one of the most difficult aspects of the Christian life. When Jesus promised that he would return, he instructed his followers to wait and be alert. That is easier said than done. So what do we do in the meantime? When Jesus told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem, he was telling them that this was means of experiencing his peace, prosperity, and power. In waiting they would see God spirit in action.
In this passage, we have the encouraging account of the church immediately after Jesus ascended into heaven. The disciples were told to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit, and this is what we find them doing. Christians are called to humble obedience, believing the promises of Christ.
The apostles find a room on the 2nd floor of a home, and other believers in the Lord gather there with them. In verse 14 we read what they were doing: “All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer. They were of “one accord.” They were unified in believing Christ Jesus was the Lord of the living and the dead; and that he was seated at the right hand of God. They now accounted themselves as not their own, but belonging to him; for his will, his purposes, his glory.
They had been called by the Lord, redeemed by his death, and were preparing to do what he had told them to do (be witnesses to the end of the earth). The apostles are the model of this way of life. They were “devoted to prayer.” They were a small group, given a great task, and a difficult one. They were to bear witness to Christ, beginning in the place he had been crucified. They knew the opposition was waiting. So the first picture of the church is a prayer meeting. Devotion to prayer and the word of God characterizes the church throughout the book of Acts.
We are never fit for anything, any work, or any trial in our faith without the Holy Spirit .The apostles couldn’t do anything on their own. The more we mature in the faith, the more we learn our dependence upon the Holy Spirit. The believers were undoubtedly praying for the Holy Spirit. The Lord promised, so they prayed. This wasn’t a sign of doubt in the promise, but confidence; it honors God to ask for what he has promised to do. Prayer is offering our desires up to God. God gives his people desires that are agreeable to his good and perfect will. God often accomplishes his sovereign will through the prayers of his people. Our desire as Christians is to be faithful. So let us be like the apostles, be on watch and ask specifically for the Holy Spirit, with the intention of honoring Christ.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, help us to be faithful and devoted in prayer, patiently waiting for your return.
Lord Jesus, help us to be faithful and devoted in prayer, patiently waiting for your return.
Thought for the day:
Waiting is the confident, disciplined, expectant, active, and sometimes painful clinging to God. It knows that we will reap a reward.
Anish Thomas
Marthoma Church of Greater Washington