times of refreshing

 DEVOTION

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

TIMES OF REFRESHING

Acts 3:17-23

17 "Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. 18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you — even Jesus. 21 He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. 22 For Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. 23 Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people.'  

NIV

As Luke records, Peter has more to say about this, but we need to stop here and consider how Peter is showing mercy by telling them how they acted in ignorance. This word simply implies that did not have the knowledge about what they did. However, Peter also says they did not accomplish killing Jesus in their own strength, as it was the plan of God and they were just doing the bidding of God in order that their sins could be wiped away. And that they could be refreshed from the Lord. Here is where we step into the history of mankind. At one time in our life, we too were ignorant of the knowledge concerning Jesus Christ and his fulfillment of the plan of God. However, because of the plan of God and his intervention, we have become aware that our sin was the reason He sent Jesus to die on the cross. Therefore, our sins have been wiped away because we have accepted Jesus as the Christ and as our Lord and Savior. The point is sin weights a man down even if unaware that is what happens when we are captive to the whims of self. Once we have been told, as Peter told those people, that through Jesus our sins are wiped away, there is a lightness of heart that happens, a relief, a refreshing of our spirit that can only be explained as being born again. There is an inner joy that comes, and it must be expressed in our outer continence. We certainly cannot hide the glory of God residing within. We do not have veils covering our faces; hence we reveal in ever-increasing amounts the glory of God. It would seem impossible to sit solemnly in our spirit and therefore in our faces. How can we have a spirit that is filled with overwhelming joy and hide it, our mask it, with a blank face, or as it were, veiling any sighs that Jesus has wiped away all our sin and are so filled with joy? No, we cannot help but live a life of rejoicing, and shining as the light of the world throughout our daily comings and goings. In addition, because we are assured that Jesus is alive and well and is in heaven, not only making intercession for us but waiting for the time when the Father has predetermined for Jesus to come back and gather us up to be with him. How can we contain our excitement about that day? How can we not live refreshed?