June 18: The Spirit to All Nations, Part 1

“3…in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” –Genesis 12.3b
“5Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven.” –Acts 2.5
When God called Abraham to follow Him, and then promised to make a covenant with Abraham, He made it clear from the beginning that this covenant was intended to eventually bless all the nations of the earth. Through the Old Testament the non-Jews were for most part excluded from hearing God’s Word through the prophets and from experiencing the Lord’s blessings. That was all to change at Pentecost.
When the Spirit came upon the believers in Jerusalem, He made no distinction in who he spoke to. “…both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians – we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” (Acts 1.11) God had finally chosen to begin the complete fulfillment of His promise to Abraham – every nation, people, and language was going to be blessed with His Spirit through Jesus!
1. How have you failed to involve yourself in the Lord’s work of pouring His Spirit out on all nations through the gospel of Jesus?
2. Where have you seen the fulfillment of this promise? How have you seen men and women from all nations experience the Holy Spirit?