You Were Never Meant to Do This Alone

Scripture:

And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. – Acts 19:2-6

Think:

Paul met disciples in Ephesus and asked, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” Their answer revealed how little they understood about Him. Paul explained how John had pointed people toward Jesus. They were baptized in Jesus’ name, and when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them. They spoke in tongues and prophesied.

These men were believers who had not yet experienced the Spirit’s empowering. The Spirit was already in them; now He came upon them in power. Every Christian receives the Holy Spirit at salvation, and we are called to keep seeking His filling—to depend on His power for the life Jesus calls us to live.

Perhaps you have been trying to live that life through sheer determination.

You love Jesus, but you are tired of hearing yourself apologize for the same sharp words. You want to forgive, but the hurt keeps rising. You want to tell someone about Him, but when the opportunity comes, you cannot seem to speak.

You know what you should do. What you need is help doing it.

And sometimes, after failing again, you quietly decide that this must be the best you can hope for. You will always be angry. Always be afraid. Always return to that sin.

But Jesus has given you His Spirit. You can ask for His strength in the very place where yours keeps failing.

Paul would later tell the believers in Ephesus to “be filled with the Spirit.” They needed His continued empowering, and so do we.

That dependence begins in an ordinary moment. Before answering the person who has upset you, pray, Holy Spirit, help me respond with love. When temptation comes, ask for strength and take the way out. When someone needs to hear about Jesus, ask for courage and open your mouth.

You still have a step to take. But you can take it relying on God rather than making another promise to be stronger.

Perhaps the most honest prayer you can pray today is, Lord, I love You. I want to obey You. But I cannot do this faithfully in my own strength. Please fill me with Your Spirit.

You do not have to hide that need. Your Father already knows it. He has given you His presence because you were never meant to follow Him alone.

Application:

Name one place where your own strength keeps failing. Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you, then take one specific step of obedience in dependence on Him.

Prayer:

Father, I am tired of trying to be strong enough on my own. Fill me with Your Spirit. Help me obey You today in the place where I need You most. Amen.