READING: John 14-17
“It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you.”
John 16:7
I don’t remember the first time I recognized that there is a Holy Spirit, but I do remember the first time I felt His work. My seventh-grade classmate told me about my need to follow Jesus, and I began to think about what he said. I had no intention to actually follow through with his suggestion, and I assumed I would just forget what he said. And, I suppose I might have been able to do that had I been ignoring only my friend.
Something wouldn’t let me get away from his words, however. For the first time in my life, I knew I was a sinner even as a 13-year-old. I realized that God is a perfectly righteous God, and I was nowhere near what He demanded of me. In addition, I recognized that my friend’s words about hell weren’t just a threat; they were true. As much as I didn’t want to, I thought about the gospel every day.
I now know, of course, that the Holy Spirit was working on me. He was doing His job: “When he comes, he will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment: About sin, because they do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; and about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged” (John 16:8-10). I cannot put into words how grateful I am now that He did His work even while I fought against Him.
ACTION STEPS:
- Thank God for His willingness to guide us through His Word and His Spirit.
- Listen to the Spirit as He convicts you today.
PRAYER: “God, I praise You for burdening my heart to follow You.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Matthew 26:36-75, Mark 14:32-72, Luke 22:39-71, John 18:1-27