Sometimes we can feel really alone in life.  Sometimes life can seem overwhelming.  Sometimes we can be afraid and not know what we are supposed to do, where we are supposed to go.  We can just feel alone and afraid.

That’s why Jesus told His disciples this in John 14:25-27:

25 “I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.

Jesus is getting ready to go the cross.  He knows what lays ahead for Him.  He knows the pain and hurt that awaits.  He knows what is coming.  He also knows that the resurrection and the ascension are coming and that He will soon be leaving His disciples behind.  He knows that they will be scared and afraid.

He knows what is coming.  And so He tells the disciples this.  Don’t be afraid.  Yes, I’m going to leave you.  But you won’t be alone.  Jesus didn’t leave them alone.  He sent His spirit to be with them, to guide them, to open their eyes to His truth and to remind them that they will never, ever be alone.

And He does the same for us today.  We too, we are never alone.  He will never leave us.  He will never forget us.  He will never forsake us.  His spirit has always been with us.  If we feel love, or mercy, or goodness, or hope, any of these things, they are the gift of His spirit.

One of the things I’m told sometimes is that many of us never talk about the Holy Spirit.  Anytime you’ve ever heard me, or any preacher, talk about grace, you’ve heard someone talk about the Holy Spirit.  The Spirit is the way that we receive grace and mercy.  The Spirit is the way that God speaks to us, that God calls us, that God gives us His very presence.

If you’ve ever experienced God’s grace in any way; that’s the Spirit.  If you’ve ever given God’s grace in any way, that’s the Spirit.  The Spirit is never far from us; it’s always right at hand.

Where there is grace, there is the spirit.  And grace is everywhere.  He has not left us as orphans.  He is always with us.  Through His spirit, He is always present.  May we never forget His presence, always, in our lives.

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