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

Sunday, August 23, 2026

Multiplication of Ministry Week

We're celebrating what God has done and sharing what's next for this ministry.

 Learn More
[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

What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Honor the Son!' (Jn. 5:22-23)
"[Jesus continued,] "In addition, the Father judges no one. Instead, he has given the Son absolute authority to judge, so that everyone will honor the...."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Family Relations' (1 Co. 7:1-7)
"Dear Father, third party to our marriage, Thank you that in matters of family relations you have not left us uninformed. Thank you for your apostle....."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
James 5:16
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Psalms 118:12
"Our Lord Jesus, by his death, did not purchase a right to a part of us only, but to the entire man. He contemplated in his passion the sanctification...."

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