"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." -Acts 1:8 (NIV)
There had not been an undefeated Kentucky Derby winner since Seattle Slew did it in 1977. Fans watching the 2004 Kentucky Derby saw a Pennsylvania-bred horse named Smarty Jones, with a trainer and a jockey who were both rookies, end the 27-year drought by winning the race, running the horse’s record to 7–0. Jockey Stewart Elliott later said:
"It is just unbelievable. We bunched up a bit on the first turn but things turned out great. It was a good trip. I crossed the wire and I can’t explain it; there aren’t words to describe it. At the three-eighths pole, I knew I had a loaded gun underneath me. I was just going to sit until he straightened up and switched leads. He really went to running."
Stewart Elliott knew it wasn’t his power that was going to win the Kentucky Derby but that it was the power of his horse that would carry him across the finish line. In the same way, it is the power of the Holy Spirit that is carrying us to the finish line in the race of life.
Through His power, the Holy Spirit also sets us free from the law of sin and death, speaks God’s words through us, convicts our hearts of sin, strengthens us in our weakness and enables us to live the life of obedience that God desires for us.
1. When do you feel most powerful in athletics?
2. How have you seen the power of the Holy Spirit at work in your life?
3. In what part of your life do you most need the power of the Holy Spirit right now?
1 Samuel 16:13; Romans 15:13; 1 Corinthians 2:4-5
Lord, thank You for the power of the Holy Spirit and for the amazing ways it moves in my life. Continue to speak to me, Lord. Instruct me and show me how I can grow in my relationship with You. I love You and I praise You, amen.
