God's Holy Fire: 'The Holy Spirit Spoke Long Ago'

Friday, May 9, 2025

[Not long after Jesus' ascension,] Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) and said, "Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus."
— Acts 1:15-16 NIV

Key Thought

The crucifixion of Jesus was not an accident. The passion of Christ was part of God's plan from the beginning (1 Peter 1:18-20). The Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms all speak of the Christ having to suffer (Luke 24:44-49). The inspiration behind these writings, these prophecies, was the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit spoke these things. Judas' betrayal of Jesus was not a surprise to Jesus. While the betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus were tragedies and involved the work of evil people, they were planned by God and announced by the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:23). It is amazing that this Holy Spirit, who moved the prophets to foretell the truth about Jesus, is the same Spirit who lives in us to confirm the truth about Jesus in us and to us (John 16:13; 1 John 2:24-28).

Today's Prayer

Father, I thank you for being present with me through the Holy Spirit, who brings so many blessings to me. As I seek to know Jesus, to really know him and not just know about him, I pray the Holy Spirit will guide me into all truth, into deeper and deeper truth, so that I can know the Son completely and perfectly reflect his character and compassion in my daily life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

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Illustration

Illustration of Acts 1:15-16 NIV — "Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus."

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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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