God's Holy Fire: 'Carried Along by the Holy Spirit'

Saturday, March 25, 2023

For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
— 2 Peter 1:21 NIV

Key Thought

True prophecy — the word of God put into the hearts of his servants — didn't arise in the hearts of the prophets. God planted it there and their words brought the word of God to people because the prophets were being moved by the Holy Spirit to speak the words they shared. As we read the words of these prophets and God's prophecy, we are struck with all sorts of emotions:
  • Admiration for their bravery.
  • Appreciation for their willingness to be used by God.
  • Amazement because the Holy Spirit still uses these words he inspired so long ago to convict, convince, and call us.
  • Awe that God would love us, such finite and limited mortals, so much that the One who dwells in eternity would speak his will in human words through human messengers.
And the power behind all of this? It is the Breath of heaven, the Holy Spirit. The Spirit carries God's will to our hearts through human words while also strengthening us, guiding us, and giving us gifts to use as we honor God and bless his people (Romans 8:13-16, 26; 1 Corinthians 12:8-10)!

Today's Prayer

Father, thank you for your will spoken in human words through your human messengers, the prophets. Thank you for the Holy Spirit, who makes these messages more than just words. When I open your Scriptures, I ask that your Spirit brings them to life in me, with deep conviction and powerful hope. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

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Illustration

Illustration of 2 Peter 1:21 NIV — For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

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