John 14:25-26  “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.”

I preached on this verse not very long ago. The next verse, about Jesus’ peace, is actually more famous, but this passage actually gives me a great deal of peace, as it should for every believer. We are profoundly ignorant and foolish, but God doesn’t leave us to wallow in that condition, He provides His Spirit to teach and guide us. How wonderful is that? The Holy Spirit is better than any GPS ever could be, because He can orient us not just geographically but spiritually, so that we can understand what is really going on. Everyone has moments when they are tempted to panic, when events seem overwhelming, but if we remember to check with our “internal guidance system,” courtesy of the Lord Jesus, we can have peace and assurance. It’s not that we are to ignore all the information out there, even though it is seldom fully accurate, it’s that we are to trust the One who knows what’s really happening. And we don’t need a computer or cellphone to access Him, either! That’s why and how we can walk in the peace that Jesus gives, that the world knows nothing about, as it says in the next verse. To access that peace, we need faith and gratitude, as Paul famously pointed out. (Philippians 4:6-7) When we have an omniscient, omnipotent heavenly Father, who is love itself, (1 John 4:8) what do we have to worry about? None of this is to denigrate the reality of the trials we face. Jesus Himself, in this same Upper Room Discourse, said, “I have said these things to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” And that was immediately before He was arrested, given a sham trial, and essentially tortured to death. Our road ahead isn’t at all guaranteed to be easy, but in Christ it will always be victorious in the end, so we need to listen to the Holy Spirit and keep going.

The person we are staying with right now had distressing family news just as she was going to bed, but knowing her spiritual maturity, I’m sure she prayed about it and then slept well. She is an inspiration to Cathy and me! I too need to listen accurately and trust fully. The Lord led in yesterday’s events beautifully, and I am sure He will do so again today, as we attend the church I pastored over 45 years ago. God’s plans are always good! (Jeremiah 29:11) Tomorrow we will be going on to our older daughter’s place, getting to meet our great-granddaughter who was born in January, as well as experience various other blessings before going on to our younger daughter’s place in the Seattle area. We have passed the halfway point in our trip, and anticipation of our return is building. However, there are still people God wants to touch through us, and still blessings He wants to pour out on us, so we are to walk in peace and anticipation, available for whatever He has in mind, for His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for all that You have done already on this trip, and for what You have ahead of us. Help us listen accurately and obey fully, so that all of Your plans may be fulfilled on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!