Wednesday Encouragement from Woman at the Well Ministries
Wednesday, March 31, 2021
Song: “What a Friend We Have In Jesus”
Charles Crozat Converse
What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear
And what a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer
Oh, what peace we often forfeit
Oh, what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
VERSE: John 16:7—“Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you: but if I depart, I will send Him to you.”
Have you ever thought what it must have been like in the upper room four days before the resurrection? At some point it must have begun to sink into the minds of the Disciples that Jesus was going away. They could not have imagined what that would entail or how much suffering He would endure, but they could grasp the gravity of a world without Him. I am certain that panic must have filled their hearts and minds. But Jesus understood what His absence would mean. He knew that when He is present there is life and there is hope. So, He reassures the Disciples that He is going away and that it is necessary for Him to leave, to be physically gone, for the invisible Jesus, the Holy Spirit, to come. John 14:16 reveals Jesus explaining that another Comforter would come when He, Jesus, would leave. Another denotes likeness. Yes, the Holy Spirit is Jesus without skin. Jesus in physical form could only be at one place at a time, but Jesus as the Holy Spirit could be at all places at the same time. He left us physically but remained attached to us more securely than before. We are indwelt by His presence and protected by His love. Remember, Jesus loves you. You are loved!
Prayer: Oh, what love you bestow upon Your children, Lord. Thank you for never wanting to be away from me and for always staying in my presence. Thank you for being my Comforter and for all that you do in my life. Teach me to lean on you more, to trust you completely and to live in Your will. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
*Sunday and Wednesday encouragements are written for our friends in Assisted Living, who we are unable to see regularly, due to COVID. We pray they are a blessing for you as well!