I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay (wait) in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."
Acts 1:4
Our world is teeming with information. At the touch of a button, google and other search engines can spew out any information you want. One has be very careful of course, because truth is often mixed in with myth. But there is abundant information on the internet and in the libraries for those who seek it. As we enter the Christian arena, the temptation to rely on our own research and understanding can be tempting. The tendency to run ahead, plan and design our own “perfect” or “excellent” paths in ministry seems to come easily. God’s plan was to have us wait. He leads; we follow. Without the Spirit’s leading and without his life- giving breath; all we have are dead sermons, dead works, dead worship, dead ministries and dead churches (Isaiah 64:6; Matthew 15:8).
As Jesus prepared to leave this earth, he made special arrangements for his disciples. He said to them, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. (John 14: 16-17 ESV). As children of God we have a helper (advocate). We know him by faith through Jesus Christ. He is there to aid in every area of our lives. He is there to lead. All we need to do is wait (actively desire and seek him), then follow.
Jesus goes on to say, In John 16:13: “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. How do we discern this truth? By waiting. And this is what the disciples were doing in the upper room. They were waiting for the infilling of the Holy Spirit, they were anxiously desiring, expecting and waiting for power from on high. Those disciples were not going to take one step, until they had received that promised power.
The promise of a Helper was not just for those original disciples, but for you too. The Holy Spirit is still God’s assigned counselor who is ready to lead and guide God’s children into God’s truth. We should not take one step without him. Are you desiring; are you expecting; are you waiting or are you self-reliant? The devil doesn’t want you to know this because he knows that when you are imbued with power from on high, you will never be the same. You will know the truth and will be ready to follow and do exploits. Don’t go another day without cultivating the discipline of waiting. God’s chosen Helper is here and he is ready to guide you. Are you ready to welcome him?
Come, Holy Spirit, I need you; Come, sweet Spirit, I pray,
Come in your strength and your power, Come in your own gentle way.
Heritage Singers (Album: Restored)