When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.  -John 16:13

As I boarded the airplane to study in a city a thousand miles from home, I felt nervous and alone.  But during the flight, I remembered how Jesus promised His disciples the comforting presence of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus' friends must have felt bewildered when He told them, "It is for your good that I am going away" (John 16:7).  How could they who witnessed His miracles and learned from His teaching be better off without Him? But Jesus told them that if He left, then the Advocate - the Holy Spirit - would come.

We who have accepted God's offer of new life have been given this gift of His Spirit living within us.

Jesus, nearing His last hours on earth, shared with His disciples (in John 14-17, today known as the "Farewell Discourse") to help them understand His death and ascension.  Central in this conversation was the coming Holy Spirit, an advocate who would be with them (John 14:16-17), teaching (John 15:15), testifying (verse 26), and guiding them (John 16:13).

We who have accepted God's offer of new life have been given this gift of His Spirit living within us.  From Him we receive so much:  He convicts us of our sins and helps us to repent.  He brings us comfort when we ache, strength to bear hardships, wisdom to understand God's teaching, hope and faith to believe, and love to share.

We can rejoice that Jesus sent us the Advocate.

Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, You sent Your Son to save us and Your Spirit to comfort and convict us. May we bring You glory as we thank You for Your goodness and love.  Amen.