"I leave you peace. It is my own peace I give you. I give you peace in a different way than the world does. So don't be troubled. Don't be afraid. You heard me say to you, 'I am leaving, but I will come back to you.' If you loved me, then you would be happy that I am going back to the Father. Why? Because the Father is greater than I am."
— John 14:27-28 NLT
Key Thought
The Holy Spirit, our comforter and counselor, will bring us peace. This peace is not an absence of difficulties, an end to all strife, or the cessation of all disagreements. We know that those things will not happen in our fallen world as we know it now. However, the gift of God's presence, the gift of Jesus' guidance, and the blessing of the Holy Spirit mean that we can have peace in our storms, struggles, and fallen world. God is present within us to guide, strengthen, comfort, lead, inspire, motivate, bless ... We are not alone as we face every challenge of life because God is not only with us, he is within us! Jesus' return to heaven is not a loss of peace or his abandonment of us. It is his going away so that he can send us the gift of the Holy Spirit, who brings us God's peace.
Today's Prayer
Holy God, give me a deeper appreciation of your abiding presence within me. Lead me by your Spirit to know you more completely. Inspire me by your Spirit to do your work more joyously. Enlighten me by your Spirit to better make the decisions I face each day. Thank you, Jesus, for sending the Holy Spirit to me as your gift of grace, presence, and peace. I pray in your name, dear Savior. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
- John 16:33
- Romans 5:1-5
- Titus 3:3-7
About This Devotional
What Jesus Did is a one-year devotional guide through the gospels, using one short passage each day and following the Gospel in consecutive order. Each devotional consists of a passage, reflection and a prayer which opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges you to live for Jesus.
What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.
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.
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