Jesus’ Promise to You

Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. Today's reading, titled Jesus' Promise to You, was written by Ann Cetus. Jason wailed as his parents handed him over to Amy.

It was the two-year-old's first time in the nursery while Mom and Dad attended the service, and he was not happy. Amy assured them he'd be fine. She tried to soothe him with toys and books, by rocking in a chair, walking around, standing still, and talking about what fun he could have.

But everything was met with bigger tears and louder cries. Then she whispered five simple words in his ear, I will stay with you. Peace and comfort quickly came. In John chapter 14, Jesus offered his friends similar words of comfort during the week of his crucifixion. The Father will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever, the Spirit of Truth. After his resurrection, he gave them this promise in Matthew chapter 28, Surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.

Jesus was soon to ascend to heaven, but he would send the Spirit to stay and live within his people. We experience the Spirit's comfort and peace when our tears flow. We receive his guidance when we're wondering what to do. He opens our eyes to understand more of God, and he helps us in our weakness and prays for us. He stays with us forever.

Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from John chapter 14, verses 15 through 21 and 25 through 27. If you love me, keep my commands, and I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever, the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me.

Because I live, you also will live. On that day, you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.

The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them. And now verses 25 through 27. All this I have spoken while still with you, but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Let's pray.