The Spirit Poured Out
And it will be that, afterwards, I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. Even on the menservants and maidservants in those days I will pour out My Spirit.
- Joel 2:28-29
The prophet Joel, peering through the telescope of prophecy, saw something that was so significant that it continues to impact believers even today. Joel saw that after a season of restoration and revelation that the Holy Spirit would be poured out in overflowing measure. This outpouring would be available to every class, every age group and every part of any culture who would receive it. It would break down the historic distinctions that separated people from one another, and it would enable people to see things and accomplish things that would never be possible without the Spirit’s infilling and overflowing.
Jesus spoke to His disciples about this shortly before His ascension. He said in Luke 24:49: “And look, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. But wait in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Of course, the promise Jesus was talking about was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which is recorded in Acts 2:1-4. It caused no small stir in Jerusalem among those who had traveled there to observe the feast of Pentecost, and Peter began to preach with power to the crowd that assembled because of the supernatural manifestations they saw and heard.
Some accused the disciples of being drunk. But Peter, freshly filled with power from on high, had a ready answer: “But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel…” (Acts 2:16). Peter went on to use Joel’s prophecy as his text, and preached a message that resulted in 3,000 people being saved and baptized.
This is the same Peter who just a few weeks before had denied he even knew Jesus. Now, he stood and boldly declared the word of God to a great multitude. What caused Peter’s life to be transformed from a cowering liar to a bold proclaimer of truth? It was the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
God said He would pour out His Spirit on all flesh. Men and women, boys and girls, young and old, from the highest to the lowest—God’s Spirit makes no distinctions and recognizes no boundaries concerning who He will fill. He will give you dreams and visions of things to come. He will empower you to do exploits in His name. He will prompt you to speak instead of remaining silent. Do you want it?
The Holy Spirit is not God’s third cousin twice removed. He is God! He has all the attributes and characteristics of God. And He is here on the earth, right now, to empower you and enable you to do all God has commanded and commissioned you to do.
He will come to all who desire Him. He will saturate all who acknowledge their need of Him. He is being poured out now. If you’re hungry, He will fill you. If you’re thirsty, He will satisfy you as nobody else can. Don’t be satisfied to muddle about in the flatlands of shallow spiritual experience—receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit!
Lord, we ask You for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Pour out Your Spirit on us! We need revival. Pour out Your Spirit on both men and women, young and old, slave and free. Pour out Your Spirit! Clean out our ears so we can hear Your word and speak Your word. Amen.
Further Reading
- Joel 2:28-29
- Acts 2:1-4
- Acts 2:16
