“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:12-14)
Here we are in the third year of the pandemic. To whom have we looked for comfort and assurance during these times? The government as well as medical authorities and experts offer some comfort, as they often promised they would have everything under control. But the comfort they promised has been nebulous. The mandates that governmental, medical, and social structures have placed upon all of us to stem the spread of COVID have also brought much turmoil, confusion, suffering, violence, and political unrest.
Where then can we go for real and lasting comfort in the midst of this or any crisis? We look to Jesus. As He addressed His disciples on the night before He was crucified, He wanted to comfort and encourage them for they were filled with questions and doubts. Jesus told them plainly what was going to happen so they would be prepared. If they knew that Jesus knew what would happen they should not have been dismayed: He had all things in control. But what He shared only increased their anxiety. He told them that He would be leaving shortly. He wasn’t going to be around to help them with advice and encouragement. Yet He did encourage them by telling them that His place would be taken by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would be with them at all times and in every situation. They remembered this later and rejoiced.
Too often we think the people the world values and holds in high esteem are the paragons of wisdom and virtue that hold the keys to success and emotional stability. But the people in the world do not possess godly wisdom. They will invariably lead us away from the Lord even if their advice is sound. Jesus’ assurance about the Holy Spirit should give us great comfort in the midst of our pandemic. We worry about a lot of things when we really should be relying upon the Spirit to guide and comfort us for, as Jesus said, He will guide us into all truth.