Promises Kept

I am quite interested in nature, especially birds. Even as a little boy, I could spot a flock of pigeons from a long way away. I still can. If my memory serves me correctly, back in the 1940s, there was a theatre in Amsterdam where nature shows were shown on a continuous basis. You could go in any time and leave when you had seen all that you wanted to see. My dad had promised to take me there. But it was just after the war, and there were so many things to do to get things back to normal for my parents and others as well. Then the thought of emigrating started to occupy their time. I think my dad might have forgotten about his promise to me, but about two weeks before we left the Netherlands, my mother reminded dad that he had promised to take me to this nature show, and he did; he kept his promise. It was a wonderful experience.

Acts 1:4,8 – And being assembled together with them, [Jesus] commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me. You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (NKJV)

For forty days after His resurrection, Jesus had appeared to His followers and explained to them why He had come to earth. He also told them that they were to stay in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit would come upon them, as He had promised.

And now, ten days later, we find them in the Upper Room, the same room where they had had the Last Supper with Jesus before His betrayal, trial, crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. They are all gathered together in one place on the day of Pentecost, remembering, discussing, praying, and waiting.

Acts 2:2-4 – And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (NKJV)

Now Jesus' promise of power to go into all the world had been kept. When this event took place, it was the Feast of Weeks. There were many Jews from far-flung areas in Jerusalem, and many of them heard the disciples speak in their own languages. Peter gave an inspired sermon, "and the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved." (Acts 2:47b NKJV)

As we go through life, and as we learn more about God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we see that His promises are always kept. The assurance that God is trustworthy gives us tremendous comfort in times of need, always.

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, as we have experienced the death of Jesus on the cross at Calvary, His resurrection on Easter Sunday, His ascension into heaven, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, we are again aware of Your wonderful plan of salvation. We thank You, in Jesus' name. Amen.

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