Together - Daily DevotionalSample

Wine

Wine is associated with the Holy Spirit in a number of passages. In Ephesians, Paul compares the effects of wine to the Holy Spirit and of course there is the famous occasion in Acts 2 where the disciple’s joy and exuberance led some in the crowd to think they were drunk. Scripture records that wine has the effect of bringing joy even to those who are in anguish because it makes them forget their misery (Prov.31:6) as it makes life merry (Ecc.10:19). 

The Christian life is not meant to be boring trying to adhere to a list of “do nots”. Instead it is meant to be an exciting adventure as we journey with God along a path of exploration and discovery. Nehemiah explains that, “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh.8:10). Many think that God lacks the characteristic of joy but Jesus spoke of His joy becoming our joy that our joy might be full (John 15:11).

Using wine as a symbol for the Holy Spirit therefore conveys to us that we can forget our guilty past as the Christian life is not meant to be dull but full of exuberance, excitement and ‘joy in the Holy Spirit’ (Rom.14:17)

Prayer: May I ever be filled with the joyful wine of the Holy Spirit