“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you” (John 16:7).
TEXT — John 16:5-15
Message
Sometimes, fear and uncertainty may creep into the believer’s heart, especially when facing difficult times. He may wonder whether he has not missed his way; whether what he has believed all along was actually the truth. He may begin to question all he had held dear in faith. Worse still, he may not speak up about the turmoil in his heart.
Today’s text reveals how Jesus, as He approached the end of His earthly ministry, began to reassure His disciples that whatever fears they harboured within were unnecessary. He first warned them about the persecution to come from those who neither knew Him nor the Father. This prior notice was to reassure them that He knew all things and that He had made provision to cater for them. He had spoken to them about His departure, but none of them could ask Him about it. Instead, sorrow had filled their hearts.
Now, He needed to reassure them that His departure would open up greater possibilities for them. For, it is only when He was gone that He would send the Holy Spirit to comfort, teach them the truth about Christ, help them live in practical righteousness and guide them in all their dealings. While on earth, Jesus could only be with them in one place at a time, but with the Holy Spirit, His presence would be with them everywhere.
Fear is a potent tool in the hand of the devil. He uses it to confuse and captivate anyone who allows uncertainty into his life. Whatever the situation, you should know that you are not alone. Therefore, rest in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, recognising that God has your best interests covered.
Thought for the day
“Best of all”, says John Wesley, “God is with us”.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
1 comment
Today’s devotion is really refreshing as it’s vey reassuring! May GOD Almighty continue to bless Pastor Kumuyi
Today’s devotion is really refreshing as it’s vey reassuring! May GOD Almighty continue to bless Pastor Kumuyi