May 13 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

We are only people of flesh and blood. We cannot know the presence of the Spirit of God unless the Spirit uses signs our human senses can discern. So when God the Holy Spirit came to dwell in his people, he was pleased to show his presence in ways people could observe.

First is the sign that the ear can hear—the sound of a rushing wind. Then the sign that the eye can see—the candle-like flames on all God's chosen ones in the upper room. However, the most convincing sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit is the speech of these people. It seems that all the age-old barriers between the nations have been broken down. One message is heard in all languages. It is the story of the wonderful works of God. One name is proclaimed by every tongue. It is the name of Jesus.

To this day the Spirit chooses many signs to show his presence. It is entirely up to the Spirit to choose the signs. The signs of the Spirit on that first Pentecost (the sound of wind, the tongues of fire, the speech) have never been repeated, as far as we know. Even the sign of tongue-speaking is different from this first Pentecost, when one message was understood in every tongue.

However, there is one sure sign by which we can always determine the Spirit's presence or absence: the Spirit makes the church speak of Christ and causes people to tell the wonderful works of God. This is the token of the presence of the Spirit, and this is the sign of life.

Wherever the Spirit is present, the church speaks with boldness and clarity of its Savior and Lord. Today the name of Jesus is praised in all parts of the world. Everywhere on the globe, the Spirit gives life to people by touching human hearts. And. wherever this happens, people have something to say about the wonderful works of God. If the Spirit is in us, it is not only possible but inevitable that we give glory to Christ.

REFLECTIONS

Where do you see evidence of the Spirit's presence?

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published by Paideia Press in 1977. This updated edition is copyright 2009 by Faith Alive Christian Resources. You can order a copy of this revised version of the book directly from the publisher.

A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this updated edition of Daylight are from the Holy Bible: Today's New International Version copyright 2001, 2005 by the International Bible Society.