Listen to this devotion
OUT of Darkness INTO the LIGHT OF JESUS!
The HOLY SPIRIT keeps us focused on Jesus, our comfort and joy!
In the Word
…the disciples were gathered together behind locked doors, because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities. Then Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you,” he said (John 20:19 GNT).
Of the Word
When a dear one dies, fear and despair lurk at our heart’s door. That must be how the disciples felt when Jesus died. Huddled behind locked doors, the temptation to give up hope was strong.
But the night before Jesus was crucified, He promised, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, who will stay with you forever. He is the Spirit, who reveals the truth about God. … He remains with you and is in you. … you will not be left all alone” (John 14:16, 17a, 17c, 18a GNT). And then — the resurrected Lord Jesus Himself came to that locked room to reassure the disciples before He returned to heaven.
Present-day disciples cling to the same promise. The same Holy Spirit lives with us and in us. The Spirit comes to us in God’s Word and Sacraments. The Spirit creates faith and trust. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).
Walking with my Lord
Lord Jesus, thank You for the Holy Spirit. By Your Spirit’s power I know You and trust You. Forgive me when my faith falters and I feel afraid and hopeless. Renew me each day with the warmth of Your love. In Your name I pray. Amen.
Mustard Seed: Walking with My Lord. Author: Donna Streufert. 12/30 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked GNT are taken from the GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION — Second Edition, American Bible Society, New York, NY. Copyright © 1992.
