Speak to the Heart

“We all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!” They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other. – Acts 2:11-12

The coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost was a new experience for the disciples and the Jewish pilgrims gathered in Jerusalem (Read Acts 2:1-12). There was a mighty sound from heaven that filled the house where the believers waited. Then what appeared as tongues of fire settled on each of them. Finally, they began to share “the wonderful things God has done” in the languages of the Jewish pilgrims. Like these pilgrims, we ask, “What can this mean?”

When God enabled the believers to speak in other languages, we learn that God is concerned that people understand his message of salvation. If the believers merely preached in Aramaic, the Jewish pilgrims in Jerusalem would not have understood their message. Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa, said, “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” God wants to touch the hearts of people. That’s why he wants them to hear his message of salvation in the language they understand best.

God uses Bible translation ministries so that more people can have access to Scriptures in their heart language. Do you know that for the first time, the number of languages that need their own Bible translation project has dropped below 2,000? Praise God! Watch this video and see the great joy that came to nine people groups in Gombe State, Nigeria because they now have Bible in their own language. Now they can truly say, “God speaks to our hearts because he speaks in our language.”

Thank you for your desire to speak to me, Father. Thank you too that you speak my language. I want to know you more.

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