Read: Luke 24:45-49
And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high (Luke 24:49).
The Promise Of My Father
This promise that Jesus gave on the mount of ascension was fulfilled ten days later. “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come… they were all filled with the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:1, 4). But the promise and its fulfillment were not for the disciples only. In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus said, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also [all of them] which shall believe on me” (John 17:20). If the coming of the Holy Spirit seems delayed, let us remember that He is promised to us also, and the promise is that we shall receive Him “not many days hence.”
If I do not now enjoy the experience of heart holiness, is not that gracious gift of God my deepest need? The baptism with the Holy Spirit was important enough that the disciples tarried ten days for His coming. Is the presence of God’s Holy Spirit not important enough for me to give major attention to prepare my life for His coming — whether it takes ten days, or less, or longer?
Our part is to keep an open ear to God’s voice and an open heart to His will, to maintain an attitude of expectancy, to keep pressing our claim and to keep trusting God’s promise. This trust in God’s promise is the one condition which can never be met without the blessing following. Since God has promised to give me His Holy Spirit, I yearn to be ready for His coming. I sincerely pray:
Give me thyself; from every boast, From every wish set free. Let all I am in Thee be lost; But give thyself to me.
— Wesley’ s Hymns