What Jesus Did! 'I Will Not Abandon You!' — John 14:18-20

Sunday, September 27, 2026

[Jesus continued,] "No, I will not abandon you as orphans — I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you."
— John 14:18-20 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus' return to the Father is essential. He went to prepare a place for us. [1] He is at the Father's side to intercede for us. [2] However, even though he has gone to the Father's side, that does not mean he has abandoned us. Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to be God's presence inside us. We are not alone. Far from it! We have the Holy Spirit in us as the abiding reminder of Jesus' victory over death and his ascension to heaven with power!

[1] John 14:2-3.
[2] Romans 8:34 NIV.

Today's Prayer

Your grace, dear heavenly Father, is really beyond my comprehension to grasp fully. I know even now, as I pray, your grace makes my prayer significant because Jesus intercedes for me according to your will. Father, when I find myself in difficult times, I confess that I sometimes try to rely too much on what I can do because I get to feeling that no one is there helping me. Please, dear Father, don't just forgive me but also remind me of your abiding presence in me through the Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

18 Related Resources by Heartlight

The Resurrection of Jesus Is Our Assurance
Devo: Together in Christ
"[Jesus assured his disciples,] "Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. When I am raised to life...."
God Made Known to Us
Virtual Worship by Demetrius Collins & Phil Ware
God promises to be with us and in us so that we can experience his love for us! Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to remind us of God's presence to be in us and real to us and reveal his love in us.
Never Abandoned!
Devo: Together in Christ
"[Jesus promised his disciples,] "No, I will not abandon you as orphans — I will come to you.""
SpiritFire - Leading Us Safely Home
Article by Phil Ware
Where is home for you? No, really, Where? Phil Ware concludes his SpiriFire series with a reminder that God -- Father, Son and Holy Spirit -- lives inside us and makes his home with us.
See All 18 Related Resources about John 14:18-20

Illustration

Illustration of John 14:18-20 NLT — "No, I will not abandon you as orphans — I will come to you."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, September 27, 2026

Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Psalm 116:1-2
"I love the LORD. He heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Micah 2:13
"Inasmuch as Jesus has gone before us, things remain not as they would have been had he never passed that way. He has conquered every foe that..."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Charles H. Spurgeon:
"For nourishment, comfort, exhilaration, and refreshment, no wine can rival the love of Jesus. Drink deeply."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'So We Can Thank You' (Ps. 106:47-48)
"Save us, O Lord our God! Gather us back from among the nations, so we can thank your holy name and rejoice and praise you. Praise the Lord, the God of..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!