"All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other
tongues as the Spirit enabled them... When they heard this sound, a crowd came
together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being
spoken." (Acts 2: 4,6 NIV)
When the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, every believer began to speak in
tongues. This was amazing in itself, but even more amazing was the fact that
even those who were NOT disciples could understand what they heard! The Greeks
understood in Greek. The Romans understood in Latin. Everyone understood in
their own language.
Is it possible that the disciples knew how to speak these other languages? Not
at all! After all, most of them were simple fishermen.
How, then, is this possible? "With man this is impossible, but with God all
things are possible." (Matthew 19:26 NIV)
Two years ago, we had the opportunity to visit Poland. I couldn't understand a
word of the local language. Fortunately for us, many spoke some English.
After an unforgettably, life-changing visit to the death camp at Auschwitz, we
had booked a visit to the Jewish Synagogue and museum in Oswiezim. The only
problem was, we couldn't find it. We drove in circles, looking left and right,
to no avail.
Finally we drove up a little road to what was advertised as a museum at the top
of the road. We hoped they would be able to help us, but when a huge, angry
guard came out and began yelling at us in Polish, we knew we had come the wrong
way. Unfortunately, other than understanding that we should leave immediately,
we had no idea what he was saying...
As we were turning the car around to leave, another guard showed up. He was the
opposite of the first guard in every way. It was as if we had a literal Laurel
and Hardy in front of us!
As the first guard continued to yell at my wife, the driver, the second one took
me out of the car and led me down the road, away from the barking, angry guard.
He spoke only Polish, but as he began speaking to me, I became completely
astonished because I could understand him as easily as if he had been speaking
English or French!
First of all, he told me to ignore the other guard, saying, in essence, that his
bark was far worse than his bike, for he was truly a friendly man. Next he asked
me how he could help me. I told him – in English – about our dilemma in finding
the Jewish Synagogue, and amazingly, he understood me as well! He then responded
in rapid-fire Polish: "That's easy! Go down this hill and park at the parking
that you can see from here. Once parked, turn left and then right and you will
see the Synagogue."
My mouth hung completely open. How was it possible that I could understand him?
But then I remembered Matthew 19:26: "With man this is impossible, but with God
all things are possible." (NIV).
When I got back in the car and my wife began driving away from the angry guard,
she asked me the understandable question: “So did he speak any English or
French?”
I shook my head, still astonished by what had transpired: "No. He only spoke
Polish."
"Then what will we do?"
"I think I know how to get there," I responded.
Both she and our son looked at me as if I had fallen out of the sky; and their
amazement was even more pronounced when I gave them the directions that brought
us directly to the Synagogue.
"How did you know where it was?” they asked.
"I followed the guard’s instructions!"
It's then that we all realized the Holy Spirit had been at work, helping me to
understand Polish for that brief moment in time. Wow! Our Father is amazing!
We entered the Synagogue right on time. Thank you Father.
The more we rely on the Holy Spirit, the more we will experience Him. After all,
He is our guide at all times.
Would you like to understand Polish?
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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