Day 145

2 Samuel 7:1–8:18; John 14:15-31; Psalm 119:33-48; Proverbs 15:33

AS WE MOVED deeper into David’s story in 2 Samuel today, the king was firmly on his throne and had created peace with the neighboring peoples. He built a palace for himself and then turned his focus to a temple for God.

God didn’t want David to build the temple. Rather, this task would fall to his heir. But God did make a covenant with the king, promising a dynasty going forward.

David’s prayer of gratitude is one worth remembering, for we can find our own stories within his words: “Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?” (2 Samuel 7:18).

Yesterday in John’s Gospel, we entered in to the final words Jesus spoke to His friends before His time of suffering. Since this is the last time we will move through this story, we’ll continue looking at and feeling the weight of those words:

If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.

The word advocate literally speaks of a helper and a representative. Jesus gave us help and representation that will never leave us and will only lead us into the truth. Isn’t it interesting that we already have what we continually ask for? Let that sink in. Consider the ways in which we ignore the Holy Spirit as we search for life’s meaning.

“When I am raised to life again,” Jesus said, “you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you” (John 14:20). Again, ponder this statement. What would be the one word to describe what Jesus is talking about? For me, it would be intertwined. Jesus described a state of being that is completely intertwined with God. He is within us. It would be difficult to be more intertwined than that. What difference would it make to this very day if we believed Jesus’ words? How would we look at the world if we deeply embraced the fact that we are not separated from God —and cannot be separated —because He is literally part of who we are?

“I am leaving you with a gift —peace of mind and heart,” Jesus said. “And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27). The serenity and comfort these words bring is phenomenal. Why do we rarely embrace this? Why do we ignore it so often? Perhaps we are trying to find peace in things of this world. But according to Jesus, this peace of mind and heart is not something that the world can offer. It’s not about external circumstance at all. It’s deeper than that. It comes from the Holy Spirit (the Advocate Jesus spoke of), who leads us into all truth so that we can see what’s really going on around us.

Jesus’ words at His final meal contain everything we are looking for in our lives. But they will never work when we are trying to invite Jesus to become part of our life rather than the other way around. He has invited us into His life. And there —within the life of Christ —we find that we will never be abandoned or left without the truth. Once again, reread the final words Jesus offered to His friends. They are words for each of us, and they are words to live by.

MEDITATION:

I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments. I will speak to kings about your laws, and I will not be ashamed. How I delight in your commands! How I love them!