The Holy Spirit Outpoured

There is no one outside the reach of God’s Holy Spirit. Before Jesus Christ, God chose to work through particular people to bring about His Purpose. More specifically, Scripture tells us that He poured out His Spirit upon people like Joshua, Gideon, and David to fulfill special duties. But when the Prophet Joel addresses the people of Judah, he speaks of a time when all people would receive the outpouring of the Spirit of God. We see that outpouring fulfilled at Pentecost upon believers in Jerusalem, who are miraculously equipped with the gift to proclaim the Gospel in different languages. This outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit continues to this day.

Joel declares that the Children of Zion, God’s Chosen people can be glad because of God’s restoration that will follow a time of desolation. This restoration does not just include the restoration of the land, but more importantly speaks of the restoration of the people to God. Their relationship with God will once again be restored through Jesus. The restoration that Joel speaks of is not only a complete restoration of Israel to God, but is extended to all people. It involves a change in the parameters of who God’s people are. God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit, is poured out upon all humanity and is ready to be received by anyone who will believe in Him. God’s people are not just Israel anymore. His people are those who have received His Holy Spirit.

How does the outpouring of the Holy Spirit affect us as believers? God’s Spirit not only works restoration in us completely, but also equips us to do the work of God. God has chosen to reach all people of all backgrounds, classes, and abilities to go out on His behalf only after first having drawn near. When we receive God’s Holy Spirit, miraculous work is done in and through us. We are used by God to do marvelous things for His Glory. God’s Spirit does all of the work, but holds us responsible for allowing Him to use us. Are you allowing yourself to be used by the Holy Spirit for His Work today?