God's Holy Fire: 'It Is Better that I Leave'

Sunday, August 23, 2026

[Jesus said,] "So let me say it again, this truth: It's better for you that I leave. If I don't leave, the Friend won't come. But if I go, I'll send him to you."
— John 16:7 MSG

Key Thought

Many of us have often longed to have been alive and seen Jesus as he ministered and taught while on earth. Yet Jesus is emphatic: It is better for us that he has gone to the Father and sent the Holy Spirit as our Friend and Guide. We have Jesus' life and teachings to guide us into God's truth for us. But, we also have the Spirit of Truth, the Friend that Jesus has sent, to confirm his message, guide us into the truth about that message, and help us remember and understand the things Jesus did and taught, as well as empower us to live for Jesus. So yes, it is better that he has gone to prepare a place for us (John 14:2-3) and sent the Spirit to be within us until we go home to him!

Today's Prayer

Almighty God, thank you for the Spirit who is your Presence in me and your Friend for me as I seek to live for Jesus and share your grace with a lost and broken world. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

6 Related Resources by Heartlight

Don't Be Sad; Better Things Are Ahead
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"[Jesus continued,] "But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. Instead, you grieve because of what..."
To Your Advantage?
Article by Melissa Troyer
It was in the middle of one of these nitty-gritty down-to-earth conversations between Jesus and His disciples that He fleshed out the secret. Melissa Troyer reminds us of Jesus' strange promise of going away being better for His disciples than staying with them.
Fighting the Silent Disease
Article by Tammy Marcelain
Can we really find a way of escape? Sin, a form of spiritual cancer, can be defeated like physical cancer and this victory leaves us feeling excited and on top of the world, but we must work hard for the victory and God will help us.
Sending the Great Helper
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Beloved, My ascension back to the Father was a wonderful blessing. I know that you would love to have My physical presence with you — to....."
See All 6 Related Resources about John 16:7

Illustration

Illustration of John 16:7 MSG — [Jesus said,] "So let me say it again, this truth: It's better for you that I leave. If I don't leave, the Friend won't come. But if I go, I'll send him to you."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, August 23, 2026

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Need for Interdependence' (Ro. 12:3-8)
"Dear Father, who wills our interdependence, Help me not to think more highly of myself than I ought to think, but to think with sober judgment,..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'When Life Is Hard'
"Dear Beloved, There are times when life is very hard. Remember when I fed 5,000 people out of five loaves and two fish (Matthew 14:13-21)? The people..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'The Lord!'
"The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, "Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love...."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Os Hillman:
"It is the acknowledgment of our humanity and our frailness that places us in a position to have a personal encounter with the living God."

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