Day 14 - Every Language

Act 2:5-12 - 5And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 7And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 9Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. 12And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

Verse 5 points out that men were present from EVERY NATION UNDER HEAVEN. Yet, in the Upper Room after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit EACH NATIONALITY HEARD THE WONDERFUL WORKS OF GOD BEING DECLARED IN THEIR OWN TONGUE!

Immediately, following this event in the Upper Room a multitude gathered. Initially, there was shock and awe, but in the end Simon Peter would step out on the balcony and preach with heavenly unction thus resulting in 3,000 people being saved. However, the 3,000 would never have been present if they had not first heard their language being spoken!

I often sincerely pray that the Holy Spirit will help me to speak the language of every person in the building when I preach or even that I will meet on a day-to-day basis. Whether it is a single mother struggling to make ends meet, a businessman contemplating how to handle the stress of life, or a wife dealing with her husband's adultery... Whatever the scenario, I long for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to speak with effectiveness to each heart I encounter.

Paul said, "I am all things to all people." Humanly, this goal is impossible. None of us are that diverse, but the Holy Spirit knows no bounds or limits. Just as he enabled the disciples to accomplish 2,000 years ago, he can do for us as he imparts to us the ability to speak the language of the rich and poor, the hurting and the confident...

My Prayer:

Father, empower me to speak the language of all that I will encounter. In whatever way you deem possible, may I be able to effectively communicate the wonderful works of heaven to people I meet, in a way that causes them to desire your Lordship in their heart and your presence in their life. In Jesus name, Amen.