Sat.’s Devo - Pentecost

Read: 2 Samuel 22:1-23:23; Acts 2:1-47; Psalm 122:1-9; Proverbs 16:19-20 David sang this praise to the Lord on the day God rescued him from all the enemy nations and from Saul. This song is repeated in Psalm 18. David was a type of Jesus who was promised a kingdom that would last forever, but first he had to destroy Satan’s power. This song could be seen as the song describing Jesus’ victory at Calvary. It describes the earth quaking and the heavens shaking which is what happened on the cross. In verse 12 it says that God shrouded himself in darkness which veiled his approach. He came down and rescued Jesus and sent him to a place of safety in him. It was dark for three hours while Jesus hung on the cross. God rewarded him for his sinless life. God gave Jesus the shield of victory and strength over his enemies. Jesus destroyed them and they fell under his feet. There are many scriptures about Jesus putting everything under his feet. Hebrews 2 speaks of this, as well as Romans 16:20, to name two. Not only is everything under his feet but he has put everything under our feet as well. We are not to be overtaken or overwhelmed by the enemy but to rise above it and defeat it through Christ. David had three mighty warriors as well as other notable men in his elite forces. The first one, Jashobeam, killed 800 with his spear. His name means “the wise ones will return”. His life was a promise that one day those who follow God will return to Jerusalem. Looking even further into history it also means that those who follow Jesus will return to the earth. The second warrior was Eleazar whose names mean “God helps those he loves.” He stood with David and fought the Philistines when all the others had fled. The third warrior was Shammah whose names mean “I will increase the desolation of those who curse.” He also stood and fought the Philistines when his army had fled. These three men risked their lives to get David a drink of water from the well in Bethlehem. David refused to enjoy water which was as precious as the blood of those who risked their lives to bring it to him. Abishai was the leader of the thirty who once killed 300 enemy warriors with his spear. Benaiah, also a famous warrior, killed two giants and a lion. God does reward his brave warriors with honor and recognition. One day we will all stand before God and receive our rewards. In Acts, the believers in Jerusalem met together to worship the Lord and pray. On the Pentecost after Jesus death, they were meeting. The Holy Spirit came down and baptized them in the baptism Jesus had told them about. The gift had arrived. Fire settled on them in a visible manifestation. The Holy Spirit gave them words to speak in languages they didn’t know. Because it was Pentecost, all Jerusalem was filled with Jews from many nations. The disciples went out in the streets speaking their new language and the people understood them speaking their language. They were proclaiming all the things God had done. Many heard and were amazed. Others thought they were drunk. Peter stood up and began to preach about what was happening. He assured them they were not drunk as it was only 9 in the morning. This was what Joel had prophesied that would happen. In the last days, God would pour out his Spirit upon all people and it would manifest in prophesying, dreams and visions. There would also be signs in the heavens and on the earth. The moon would turn blood red before the day the Lord comes. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. God had sent his son Jesus to earth with signs and miracles but they killed him. Death could not hold him in its grip so he came back to life. David had spoken of rising from the dead but he didn’t so he must have been speaking about Jesus who did rise from the dead. God had promised that one of David’s descendants would sit on his throne. He was speaking of Jesus. Jesus rose to heaven but just as he promised, he sent his Holy Spirit. Peter begged them to repent of their sins, turn to God and be saved and filled with the Holy Spirit. Many heard Peter and about 3,000 believed and were baptized. As they met and discipled these new followers, many others came to believe also. God poured out his gifts and they saw miracles and healings happen in their midst. Lord, thank you for salvation and the baptism in the Holy Spirit. May we have great boldness to speak your name and minister in your name.