Day 22 — Sons and Daughters

“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.”

— Joel 2:28 (BSB)

Long ago, God made a promise through the prophet Joel: one day, He would pour out His Spirit “on all people.” Not just on priests or kings or special leaders. On everyone who belongs to Him. “Your sons and daughters will prophesy.”

Hundreds of years later, that promise came true! On the day of Pentecost, after Jesus had gone back to heaven, the Holy Spirit came down on His followers, men and women together. And Peter stood up and said, This is what Joel was talking about! (Acts 2:16–18).

Did you catch it? “Your sons and daughters.” God’s Spirit isn’t only for boys or only for grown-ups. He is poured out on His daughters too. On you.

That means God has a part for you to play in His story. You have the Holy Spirit living in you, giving you gifts, guiding you, and empowering you to serve Him. You’re not on the sidelines. You’re on the team.

Throughout history, God has used girls and women in amazing ways. You’ve met many of them in these books: Miriam, Deborah, Esther, Ruth, Abigail, Mary, Mary Magdalene, Priscilla and Lydia. And women from history like Amy Carmichael, Gladys Aylward, Corrie ten Boom, Mary Slessor, Ida Scudder and Helen Roseveare. God used every one of them to do His work in the world.

And He wants to use you too, starting now.

That might look like:

• Telling a friend about Jesus.
• Praying for people.
• Encouraging someone who’s discouraged.
• Using your gifts to serve at church.
• Caring for people in need.
• Speaking up for what’s right.

You don’t have to wait until you’re grown up. God’s Spirit is poured out on His daughters now.

Think about it: How does it feel to know that God pours out His Spirit on His daughters? What part might He want you to play?

Try this: Read about Pentecost in Acts 2:1–18. Then ask God, “How do You want to use me?”

Dear God, thank You for pouring out Your Spirit on Your sons and daughters. Thank You that the Holy Spirit lives in me. Show me the part You want me to play in Your story, and give me courage to do it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.