Marie’s daily verse: You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. PSALM 16:11
DAILY DEVOTION, January 2, 2023
He will give you another Helper . . . the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him (John 14:16-17).
When Jesus knew He was to ascend to the Father, His disciples were fearful of how they could survive without the presence of Jesus. In our text, Jesus made a wonderful promise. Yes, He was leaving them, but He was not abandoning them. He promised that they would receive the Holy Spirit, who would be their helper. He would guide them to know the truth.
Interestingly, Jesus calls the Spirit another Helper (Paraclete, Greek)). The Holy Spirit is not “another” different type of Helper. 1st John 2:1 makes clear that John views Jesus as a Paraclete. “But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate (Paraclete) with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” Jesus is thus a Paraclete, who is now sending a second Paraclete. This means that the ongoing work of the Spirit will be a continuation of the work of Jesus.
The promise of the Spirit is also given to us (Acts 2:38). Apart from faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit cannot be known or received. The unbelieving world lives in ignorance concerning the presence of the Holy Spirit. What a blessing it is to know that while Jesus is physically absent, He remains with us through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Father, I thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit. May I always be alert to His leading in my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (PSALM 16:11).
Warsaw Christian Church 