Dear Ones:
As far as I know, there has been but one Pentecost, when the Spirit came, and the prophecy of Joel was fulfilled. On that day, there was a “sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind.” (Acts 2:2) In John’s gospel, the Lord Jesus speaks of the wind: “The wind bloweth where it will, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is everyone that is born of the Spirit.” (Jn.3:8) In both of these passages we are confronted with the principle of “cause and effect.” The “cause” is the Spirit, and the “effect” is the visible ramifications in the life, and in the church. There is a definite change in the lives in which the “wind” of the Spirit blows.
Question: How does this “wind” blow? What is the measure and nature of that change? To answer these questions, and trust the Lord to apply the truth to our lives, we must look at the nature, or essence of the Wind. When Elijah was hiding in a cave on Mount Horeb (…you will remember that he had fled there from Jezebel….), “…the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; BUT THE LORD WAS NOT IN THE WIND.” (1 Kings 19:11) There is a great difference between the wind as a creation of God, and the Creator as the Wind. (…the Spirit moved upon the face of the waters…). The one will affect a physical change in the elements as we know them. The other will affect a spiritual work in the hearts and minds in which He blows. How? We do not know. We only know the nature of the Source, Christ by the Spirit.
Now to the question of, “How does this wind blow?” Perhaps we should first ask the question: “Will it blow?” And, “Will it certainly blow on us, on me?” The Great Comforter of our souls has said, “I will pour water on him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground. I will pour MY SPIRIT upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring.” (Is. 44:3) Jesus would stand and cry out to the crowds: “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink. He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake He of the Spirit.” (Jn. 7:37-39) “How much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?” (Luke 11:13) The point is this: When the “wind of Pentecost” came, a promise was fulfilled which pertained “to all flesh.” The potential of every man, woman, and child, to be affected by the “wind” was made possible. Since that day, the promise has remained in tact, and the wind has been blowing. How does this wind blow? It blows in answer to “thirst,” personal and corporate (the church), and “prayer”, the prayer of faith. And for the most part, though there can be major, blessed repercussions of His working, it is done by the Spirit in quietness, in the solemnity of the heart alone with God.
After Elijah had seen the effects of the mighty wind, an earthquake, and fire, we are told that there was a “still small voice.” (1 Kings 19:12) It is then, in that quiet context, that “there came a voice unto him, and said, ‘What doest thou here, Elijah?'” (v.13) The wind of the Spirit might certainly blow to get our attention, and this by some outward working. But the intent, and profound working is in the recesses of the heart, where “Christ is heard to speak; where Jesus reigns alone.” The wind blows quietly. The peace of God is known. The blessed assurance is given of His presence. And in that place of certain good, He works in us both the willing and doing of His good pleasure. The change is revealed as the working of the Spirit is manifested.
Father, we thank Thee for the blessed Wind of the Spirit, which blows powerfully, and yet, quietly in our hearts. Fill us with Thy Spirit, and keep us filled. Enable us, even in the mundane things of life, to be living in the quiet, but certain reality of Thy presence and sufficiency. Accomplish in and through us all Thy desire and will. Then Thou shalt be glorified, and Thy Son exalted. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Love, Dad