God's Holy Fire: 'Carried Along by the Holy Spirit'

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
— 2 Peter 1:21 NIV

Key Thought

True prophecy - the word of God put into the hearts of his servants - didn't arise in the hearts of the prophets. God planted it there and their words brought the word of God to people because the prophets were being moved by the Holy Spirit to speak the words they shared. As we read the words of these prophets and God's prophecy, we are struck with all sorts of emotions:
  • Admiration for their bravery.
  • Appreciation for their willingness to be used by God.
  • Amazement because the Holy Spirit still uses these words he inspired so long ago to convict, convince, and call us.
  • Awe that God would love us, such finite and limited mortals, so much that the One who dwells in eternity would speak his will in human words through human messengers.
And the power behind all of this? It is the Breath of heaven, the Holy Spirit. The Spirit carries God's will to our hearts through human words while also strengthening us, guiding us, and giving us gifts to use as we honor God and bless his people (Romans 8:13-16, 26; 1 Corinthians 12:8-10)!

Today's Prayer

Father, thank you for your will spoken in human words through your human messengers, the prophets. Thank you for the Holy Spirit, who makes these messages more than just words. When I open your Scriptures, I ask that your Spirit brings them to life in me, with deep conviction and powerful hope. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

6 Related Resources by Heartlight

2 Peter 1:21
Devo: Today's Verse
"For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."
God's Word takes flight!
Illustration of 2 Peter 1:21
Inspirational illustration of 2 Peter 1:21 -- 21For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.© Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible SocietyAll rights reserved world
Throwing Bibles from Heaven
Article by Teresa Bell Kindred
Where do Bibles come from? Knowing the Scriptures is a special blessing we must never take for granted.
God-breathed Scripture
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Beloved, One of the great blessings that you have received from Us — Father, Son, and Spirit — is the Bible, the "holy Scriptures."...."
See All 6 Related Resources about 2 Peter 1:21

Illustration

Illustration of 2 Peter 1:21 NIV — For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Time Together Meant Time in Prayer'
"[After Jesus' ascension,] the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile. When they arrived, they went to the...."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
2 Corinthians 5:19-20
"God has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Righteousness Made Manifest' (Ro. 3:21-26)
"Dear Father, just and justifier, Thank you that your righteousness has been manifested to us. You made this happen apart from the law, although the....."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Horace:
"Why do you hasten to remove anything which hurts your eye, while if something affects your soul you postpone the cure until next year?"

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations