Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Jesus spent forty days to be with His disciples before His ascension to His Father. He had many things to say to them. He reminded them of things they had talked of in the past, before the cross. He shed light on the reality of His Presence, being there with them in a resurrected body. He showed them his scars and told them truth about things they would need to know in the context of their new task; to take his gospel to all the world to all people.
It took the sorrow of the cross and the shock of the resurrection for them to be in the place where they would sense their desperate need to listen and to remember it all. Would they remember all He taught them? How could they teach what they barely understood? Jesus and the message He gave them was so extraordinary and they were so ordinary. The disciples had run away before his death. Yet, it seemed their failure did not change His plans for them to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. How could that ever happen?
While their heads were reeling and their hearts were trembling, He added, "But you shall receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses."He promised them power to be His witnesses. They had seen the Father in the Son, now they are introduced to the Third Person of the Godhead. He would be to them a Comforter, like Jesus. Jesus said, "He will teach you and lead you into all truth. He will take the things I'm telling you and make them plain to you, and glorify Me." Their fear was replaced with faith.
Think of this, my friend -No matter how inadequate you think you are, Jesus understands how you feel. Jesus told them to wait until the Holy Spirit came upon them. They obeyed and prayed until the Spirit came. Will you? There are many things Jesus wants to reveal to you by His Spirit. The promise of the Holy Spirit's power is for you today.
Prayer for all believers who are spiritually drained and empty -Dear Lord Jesus, You know me, Lord. I love you and want to follow you I confess I cannot do it in my own strength. I need the power of the Holy Spirit. I open up my heart to be filled with the Spirit. Come, Holy Spirit come upon me. Jesus, fill me to overflowing. I'm willing to go in your power where you want me to go and be what you want me to be. Jesus I surrender ... (Lift up your hands, your voice to express your surrender to the power of the Holy Spirit.)