APRIL 27

AND SUDDENLY…

“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.- And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit…” Acts 2; 2,4

Jesus had promised that He would send the Comforter, and they were to wait in Jerusalem, so they gathered in an upper room, continuing in prayer and supplication - waiting, they really did not know what to expect, and SUDDENLY the experience was theirs, they knew this was the fulfillment of the promise, and their joy overflowed.

Paul and Silas had been cast into prison their feet made fast in the stocks, and their backs throbbed with the pain of the scourging they had received. But they had learned the secret of giving thanks for, and in all things, so at midnight they prayed, and sang praises unto God, “And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.” (Acts 16:26)

As much as we thrill to the suddenness of this victory and deliverance, there is a point that must be seriously considered: they did not have their eyes on the natural results, hoping that something would happen, their eyes were on the Lord, they were praising Him, regardless of the circumstances. He was the focal point of their attention, and the sudden action which followed was of His purpose, but I am sure they would have been praising the Lord the next day even if there had not been this great visitation of God in their prison. It was GOD, not deliverance that filled them with praise and joy.

My spirit yearned within me, the time had seemed so long,
Since last He sent refreshing, and birthed an inner song,
And suddenly He came into His temple!

The prison bars and stocks were fast; the midnight hour drew near,
When Paul and Silas praised the Lord, and love cast out all fear,
And suddenly the earthquake loosed all bands!

No man can tell what lies before, for it hath never been,
As God creates a new, new thing, controls its how, and when –
But suddenly, praise God, we’ll see His kingdom come!

Ray Prinzing

Sister Doris Prinzing
1130 Allumbaugh St. Apt 257
Boise, Id 83704-8700

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