POURED OUT

 

June 13, 2025

Joel 2:28–29

“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.
Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days.”

Isaiah 44:3

“For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring,
and my blessing on your descendants.”

 

The Old Testament ends with expectation. Even in exile and spiritual drought, the prophets point toward a future defined by divine restoration not destruction. Both Joel and Isaiah speak of a time when God’s Spirit will no longer be reserved for prophets, priests, and kings, but will flow freely to “all flesh”—young and old, male and female, rich and poor.

This outpouring of God's Spirit will not just be a trickle but a flood. Isaiah’s imagery of water on dry ground speaks to hearts worn by disappointment, delay, or spiritual emptiness. Joel envisions a community where the supernatural is not sensational or occasional, but normal everyday occurrences with dreams, visions, prophecy, all of these natural expressions of women and men in community together with the God.

Likely, as you give this thought, you realize that these promises find dramatic fulfillment at Pentecost (Acts 2), when Peter stands up and declares, “This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel.” But the outpouring of God's Spirit described in Acts 2 was never meant to be a one-time event. It was a foretaste or preview of the Spirit’s ongoing work in every generation, every land, and every heart that hungers for more of God. 

Reflect

What does it look like in our time for the Spirit to be “poured out”?

Are there places in your life that feel like “dry ground”? What would it mean for God to send streams of living water there?

How can you position yourself, through prayer, repentance, and expectation, to be ready for a fresh outpouring?

Prayer

God, You promised through Isaiah and Joel that You would pour out Your Spirit on all people. Our world is weary and in need of renewal. Our younger generations crave meaning. Come, Holy Spirit, like streams on dry land. Come to our homes, our streets, our congregations, and fulfill Your promise in our time. We are thirsty. Pour Yourself out again. In Jesus’ name, Amen.