Acts 2: 15

‘For these are not drunken as ye suppose seeing it is but the third hour’.

DAILY READING – 1 Peter 5; Jeremiah 39-40; Psalm 138

Drunk drivers often argue with the police. They claim sobriety even in the face of likely evidence. . However in one particular occasion in 1992 in St. Louis,, according to News Reports, the police didn’t need to make much ado about arresting a drunk driver. This man himself drove right up to the booking window at the police station, thinking it was Burger king. Believing he was at the drive-up window, he ordered for burger and fries. Well, he got more than a burger, he got busted. The booking officer arrested him and charged with drunk driving. It was easy to arrest this drunk driver, because his action had proven clearly his drunkenness. But other times, the police, if they have sufficient probable cause, may have to prove to the driver he is drunk, by conducting a field sobriety test. These may include the walk and turn test or having the driver stand on one-leg while facing the officer. A drunk driver will find it hard to maintain balance in this case, often he will stager, proving his drunkenness

Actions betray drunkenness. In Acts chapter 2, the apostles were accused of drunkenness. Why? Their actions betrayed them. Their actions were contrary to normal behavior, so the people concluded they must be drunk. Well, yes they were; but drunk with the new wine of The Holy Ghost. When one is drunk, and under influence, it is easy to know. 

The Holy Ghost is the divine influence that moves us to do God’s will. In the Old Testament when The Holy Ghost came upon someone, he became another man. We saw when He began to move Samson in the book of judges, that Samson began to do unusual things.

No one can carry out God’s will by human strength. The flesh is weak and often unwilling. Divine influence is needed to bring us to the place of total obedience to God’s will. It is not by power, nor by might, but by The Spirit, says The Lord.

When The Spirit comes upon a believer, He becomes the dominant force that begins to move him along the will of God. Just as a man overcome by a river current is carried by  water along the water’s course. The work God has called us to do is not what can be done with human energy and intellect. Mary, when told by angel Gabriel, the seemingly impossible assignment God has for her, to birth the savior, while still a virgin, she asked ‘how can it be?;

 The angel’s answer is quite revealing. He said ‘The Holy Ghost shall come upon you and overshadow you’ In other words, another force, a stronger force will come upon you and dominate you and influence to do this which seems impossible; because that which is impossible to men, is possible with God. .

To the apostles, the commission Jesus gave them seemed impossible; to preach the Gospel to the world.  How can it be? They were still huddled in fear in the upper room. But Jesus asked them to tarry first in Jerusalem, until The Holy Ghost came. And when He came,  a greater force took them over, they became divinely drunk. Influenced by The Holy Ghost they broke out and did the seemingly impossible.  

It is The Spirit of God that does the work of God. Even Jesus Himself could not begin His assignment on earth until the Holy Ghost came upon Him. And Jesus said in John 5:30 ‘I can of My own self do nothing.’ The same holds true for us, we can of our own selves do nothing.

Perhaps you have been wondering why you often get frustrated in your efforts to carry out God’s will. It is because you are still trying to do it by yourself. The truth is that you  can’t. It is God who works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure. He that calls us is also the One who will do it. God does not require us to do His will, by our own strength. He requires us to align with His Spirit, so that His Spirit will overflow us, overshadow us, and influence and move us to do His Will. And when it is The Lord’s doing, it is marvelous in our sight. So the work really is to align with Him, since without Him we can do nothing. Al things were made by Him, without Him  was not  anything made that was made . The only way anything can be done to please God, is when it is done through The Holy Spirit. We need divine drunkenness by The Holy Ghost to obey God.  That is the only way we can please God.

 PRAYER: Lord help me to drink in Your Word until I become drunk by Your Spirit, so that divine boldness can be imparted in me to go forth and do Your will in Jesus Name.

Quote

To enjoy divine opportunities you must be willing to take the risk of faith.  

[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK TRIUMPH OF LIGHT OVER DARKNESS.]