THE REFRESHING RAIN OF THE SPIRIT

Acts 3:19 – Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;

Peter preaches in this passage about the refreshing nature of the outpouring of the Spirit upon our lives. He has already alluded to the outpouring being the rain of the Spirit, connecting the dots we see the refreshing nature of God’s outpouring. Just as rain is refreshing in times of heat, the outpouring of the Spirit refreshes souls that have been overcome by the seasons of dryness and heat that have passed through. Last summer was an unusually dry and very hot season in New Orleans. Normally we have that afternoon rain in the summer that cools everything down. When the afternoon rains don’t come things can get quite oppressive. The Lord is sending His seasons of rain upon us as we face adverse situations in our deteriorating world. Here are some comments about this verse from several sources that I recently dug up.

Net Bible Notes

Times of refreshing. The phrase implies relief from difficult, distressful or burdensome circumstances. It is generally regarded as a reference to the messianic age being ushered in.

Vincent’s Word Book

The word (refreshing) means cooling, or reviving with fresh air.

Passion Notes

cooling breeze, which occurs only here in the New Testament. This hints of the time when God walked with Adam in the cooling breeze of the day. The work of the cross begins the restoration of Paradise within the hearts of Christ’s followers.

Life in the Spirit Commentary

This new age has dawned with the coming of Christ. Peter’s “times of refreshing” is one way of speaking about the baptism in the Spirit. The people can now experience the renewal or “refreshing” of their souls through the joys and the power of the Holy Spirit. As a result of their repentance, not only will their sin be forgiven and they will receive relief from their guilt, but they will also experience spiritual renewal through the Holy Spirit.

The Lord is pouring out His Spirit today in greater and greater measures in view of the things we are all facing. Take advantage of this opportunity of refreshing and renewal to help you face and overcome your daily challenges. Drinking in His Spirit helps me daily to be strengthened and filled with His joy. Without His refreshing we would fall into depression and make horrible choices, being filled and refreshed helps me see clearly and walk in the ways of the Lord.