June 4 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

John 16:12–15

Devotional

How does the Spirit guide sinners into all truth? He convinces them of sin, righteousness, and judgment. They are confronted with the truth concerning their lost state. The Spirit places them before the mirror of God’s holy law. They see themselves as loathsome and despicable before God. And they must acknowledge all the accusations brought against them.

Sinners could never deliver themselves out of this situation if the Guide did not lead them into the truth of God’s mercies. By being led into the truth of their corruption, they will be grounded in the truth of God’s sovereign good pleasure in saving them. The Guide is free to do what is pleasing in His sight. He guides each one of God’s children according to his individual needs. Oh, this blessed guidance of the Holy Spirit! He guides God’s people into their misery, not to bring them to despair, but to lead them through this depth to the height of His salvation.

The Spirit will not speak of Himself or bring glory to Himself. He leads only to the One who said, “I am the truth.” This truth is the only ground for peace. May this promise of Pentecost lead you to pray, “Lord, lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.”

This desire for the Spirit and the expectation of His coming is against our fleshly nature. Man prefers a visible instead of an invisible guide. He would like to hear audible voices, and he would rather take hold of hands he can feel. He prefers earthly guides, even if they deceive him. But the hour will come when earthly guides depart from us. They cannot guide us through the valley of death, for those who themselves tremble at the thought of death cannot be a support for others. The question for us is whether we are led by the only Guide, the Holy Spirit, or by the deceiver, the father of lies. Oh, what joy to be delivered from the chains of the deceiver and to be placed under the guidance of the Holy Spirit! The Spirit leads in the way of Christ, who is the truth. This is the power of the miracle of Pentecost.

 

From The Everlasting Word by Frans Bakker, compiled and translated by Gerald R. Procee. Reformation Heritage Books and Free Reformed Publications, 2007. Used by permission. For further information, click here.