“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Most people when there are about to head out of their house for an important journey would leave certain important instructions. These could range from house maintenance to whom to call upon in case of urgency. Just before he left his disciples Jesus gathered them for a defining message. “One one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about” ( Acts 1:4). This was the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Why was this important! First, Jesus was very much aware he was not leaving them to a simple world where they would have it smooth and easy. He was aware of trials ahead. The Holy Spirit was to be their helper. "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me” ( John 15:26). More, he would also fullfill other important roles like- “The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you”  (John 14:26).

Besides, there was also helping us pray - “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with ( Romans 8:26). He was also to brihg conviction: “When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:” ( John 16:8).

The ministry of the Holy Spirit is indispensable to every believer. The disciples could not set out of Jerusalem without being filled with the Holy Spirit. Just as well, we need to be aware of this and ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit if we are to be effective at anything.

Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, you who left us the Holy Spirit to empower us through all situations I pray to be ever dependent on His ministry in my life to grow more in your likeness, serve you effectively, and this I pray in Jesus’s name.