Finally, the captain instructed the tugs to go back home. He sighed, "I'll just be patient and wait." He waited until high tide. All of a sudden the ocean began to rise. What human power could not do, the rising tide of the Pacific Ocean did. It lifted that ship and put it back into the channel.

Something like that happened to the early church on the Day of Pentecost. They were all together in one place--confused, unmotivated, fearful--when suddenly the tide of God rolled in.

There was a sound like the rush of a mighty wind. And above every head there appeared a tongue of fire. And these largely uneducated followers of the Galilean began speaking in other languages.

News of what was happening spread quickly. Jews from all over that part of the world had crowded into the holy city to celebrate the sacred feast. Curious crowds gathered outside the house where the disciples were staying. Each listened with amazement to the disciples testifying in the their own language.

There was such turmoil that some supposed that the disciples were drunk. It fell upon Simon Peter to interpret to the crowd what was occurring. They were not drunk, he said. The prophecy of Joel was being fulfilled. God was pouring out His spirit on His people. And Peter began telling the good news of Jesus. When he had finished, about three thousand souls were added to the church.

How we long to have such excitement in the church again! How we long for the mighty tide of God to roll in once more! Imagine the police called to our church because the neighbors complained. You are called to be God's light. You can bring that light of hope in Jesus Christ to someone today.

Ron Newhouse