And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers. They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, and yet we hear them speaking in our native languages!” … They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other.

— Acts 2:4-12

On a handful of occasions now, I’ve found myself in a country where I was completely unable to speak their language.

As one who so enjoys hearing other people’s stories, I found it supremely frustrating.

I was suffering from verbal claustrophobia.

I started praying, begging God for the ability to speak their language, but he chose not to give it to me.

Instead, he allowed the translators to exercise their talents to accomplish what needed to be done.

The verses above, however, record a moment where God did in fact grant people the ability to speak previously unknown-to-them languages!

Wow! It was absolutely shocking to the people who spoke those languages.

Once God got their attention, he then had Peter explain to them what was happening. Abbreviated version: God’s Spirit is bearing witness to God’s word and God’s Son, Jesus; 3,000 said yes to Jesus that day.

What language is the Holy Spirit enabling you to speak these days? Is it compassion, service or hospitality? Is it generosity? Is it forgiveness, empathy or encouragement?

The language of God’s love is understood by every person in every tribe in every nation.

Who is hearing you and asking, “What can this mean?”

Perhaps today is the day those around us exclaim: “We hear them!”

Just as

So I am planning to build a Temple to honor the name of the Lord my God, just as he had instructed my father David. For the Lord told him, “Your son, whom I will place on your throne, will build the Temple to honor my name.” … When Hiram received Solomon’s message, he was very pleased and said, “Praise the Lord today for giving David a wise son to be king of the great nation of Israel.” … So the Lord gave wisdom to Solomon, just as he had promised. And Hiram and Solomon made a formal alliance of peace.

— 1 Kings 5:5,7,12

Recently, I had a day where on three occasions I stopped to reconsider doing what I had told others I would do that day.

The activities I had planned grew to be what felt like big distractions to that which was now the pressing need.

Over and over and over again the words of Jesus ran through my mind. Specifically, “Let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and your ‘no’ be ‘no’.”

I had to keep telling myself to do just as I said I would do. At the end of the day, no regrets.

This scene in 1 Kings 5 records the amazing interaction of two kings: Solomon, king of Israel, and Hiram, king of Tyre.

The potential for conflict between these two was very high, but instead they formed a mutually beneficial alliance.

Solomon did just as God had instructed in building the temple. Hiram recognized his wisdom, confirming that God had indeed kept his promise to give Solomon wisdom just as he said he would.

God will always do just as he said he would. It’s his nature. He doesn’t play games. He doesn’t get distracted. He doesn’t make promises he cannot keep.

There is much to commend “just as” living.

Solomon discovered that to be true. The joy for us is that we can, too! We can, with God’s help, do just as he instructs us to do. We can lean into both his presence and his promises.

The only question is, “Will we?”

Wiles is senior minister of Fall Creek Christian Church in Pendleton. He can be reached at 765-778-3166.