ACTS 1:24-2:4

As a man, you have fasted and prayed that God should show you the BOMB (Bone Of My Bone). And just after your long session of prayers, you appoint these three ladies and array them in your mental faculty, then you begin to classify and categorise them according to looks, educational achievement, career prospects, propensity to be business-minded, social status, and bla and bla. Then you cast a lot...

The eleven disciples of Jesus prayed before the appointment of the twelfth person who was to replace Judas. This shows that they acknowledged the need for help and wanted it from God. However, little did they know that without the Holy Spirit, nothing could be achieved - at least, nothing that was the will of God. Who was to convey the mind of God to them? Who was to bear witness in their hearts? It was the Holy spirit.

Some Bible scholars have propounded that the appointment/casting of lot was a complete derail from the will, plan and purpose of God. The instruction they needed to adhere to was – ‘wait a few days’ (Acts 2:4-5).

The Holy Spirit came upon everyone in the upper room, no doubt. He was to enable everyone for the work ahead. No wonder, an ordinary usher like Stephen was full of faith and power, he did great wonders and miracles among the people (Acts 6:9).

Nevertheless, one person was still meant to fill the office of Judas. According to the Scholars, time proved Paul was that man.

We are now in the dispensation when we need the Holy Spirit to help us and guide us especially in making decisions. After Jesus ascended, He sent the Holy Spirit because He knew the magnitude of His importance. He knows just how much you need Him to succeed in this life. He will not make the decision for you, but He promised to guide and teach you.

You have to depend on Him. You must quit appointments and lot casting in your mind. Pull down the strongholds standing against the judgement of God in your mind and let His will and His peace rule in your heart.

Let me share a personal experience. Sometimes ago, I realised I had misplaced my office ID Card.  I had the choice to quickly request for another one, but I was reluctant about doing that though I knew the consequences. I went about my business at work, hoping that no one from the HR Department or a Management staff would harass/caution me. Why didn’t I request another ID Card? I had some peace in my mind and I felt that I had not really searched thoroughly yet. I knew that it had to be somewhere and only the Holy Spirit could help me find it.

Then accusations came. A junior colleague started to remind me of the need to change my ID Card because of a certain merger which had just taken place and that I needed to submit the old card to obtain the new one.

So one morning, during my devotion, I stayed my mind on that search for ID Card and I received an instruction to get up and to begin to search through the pockets of my suits. I almost shoved the idea away but I had gotten up already before I could do that. The first suit I checked had my card in its pocket. Praise God!

Many times I am amazed as such exactness, precision and accuracy that we get through the Holy Spirit. When you perceive the aroma of fried plantain with your nostrils, you do not confuse it with oven-backed cake, do you? This is the same with what the Holy Spirit does for us. He conveys the mind of the Father without mincing the details. He is the sixth sense. Trust Him today.