Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: “ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”

What Peter demonstrates here is this: it is not enough just to serve the Lord, do his work, and see his glory revealed. We must also testify to his truth, his faithfulness, and call attention to Jesus, the Savior of the world. We are called to bear witness both in word and deed to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And we are called to walk with people in life, being enriched and enriching others.

The Jews and Jewish converts present on this day could have been left wondering what was happening. They could have assumed it was some fluke of nature, some surreal experience, some drunken craziness. All of these and more could have been assumed had Peter not stood and testified to the real reason the Spirit of God came in fire and enabled these ordinary people to do the extraordinary — speak in foreign languages.

Peter’s message starts here with a focus on a prophecy in Joel, as the Old Testament is what the Jews knew well. This prophecy explains the events that were happening, but it does not stop there. It continues to describe the connection to God for his people and communication by God to his saints. This will continue until Jesus Christ comes again.

And who would not want to experience the outpouring of the Spirit of God on their life? What an incredible privilege we have in Christ.

So today, let us live in the light of these promises in the Book of Joel, that Peter calls to light. God wants to pour out his Spirit on us. He is seeking full surrender from his true followers. And he wants to spread his love and grace across our homes, families, cities, states, countries and our world!

Lord, thank you for your Word spoken through your prophet, Joel, and known and repeated by Peter. It refreshes me and fills me up with joy and encouragement today. Make me bold in declaring your truth in the gospel of Jesus, your works, and your future plans to bless us! Thank you for loving me so much and so well. May I be an instrument of your love.