JULY 25

EXPEDIENT – THAT HE GO AWAY

“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 unto you.” (John 16:7)

For this phrase “expedient for you,” one translation gives, “it is profitable and advantageous for you…” Beyond the essential working that He, the man Christ Jesus, must go away, so that He could send the holy Spirit to dwell in men, we find again a personal inworking application from this verse, as He would lead us through the transition from the outward consciousness into the inner knowing.

But Lord, we need You so desperately! We desire to walk with You, talk with You, feel your very presence continually. And still He answers back, “it is better for you that I go away.” How can this be?

It is in the silences, in the times of aloneness, in the arena of nothingness, that the secrets of men’s hearts are made manifest, and we begin to know ourselves for what we really are. He puts our faith to a test in a manner that it would not be tested when we were daily conscious of His overshadowings. Easy to believe on Him when we daily see miracles performed, and hear the gracious words which come from His lips. The dead are raised, the lame walk, the blind see, the poor have the gospel preached unto them. Lord, this is wonderful, just stay right here with us and advantageous for you that I go away.”

The Word is alive as we read it day by day, the prophecies are uplifting, the revelations keep coming – what life in this walk with our Lord. Then, not said with words, but wrought in our experience, the stream trickles into nothing, feelings go barren, prayers are empty, no answers. Is this GOOD for us? Yes, we learn to REST IN FAITH,” knowing that He remains in control, and in due time, from deep within arises the assurance and inner confidence that HE IS THERE. Thus, we learn to live from the well within.