Today's Devotional

It Is Expedient For You

September 2, 2026 ●

By Pastor Jerry A. Burns

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 unto you."

There are things in my life I cannot explain. I do not know why my dad died when I was fifteen. The disciples knew that feeling. Jesus told them that He was going away, and the Bible says, sorrow hath filled your heart (John 16:6). Then He said something that still stops me. It is expedient for you. Expedient means beneficial. Profitable. Needful. Jesus looked at the very thing that was breaking their hearts and called it good for them. They saw an empty place at the table. God saw Pentecost.

My wife loves puzzles. I have watched her hold up a single piece that looks like nothing at all. Grey. Shapeless. Wrong. She does not throw it out, because she is not looking at the piece. She is looking at the picture on the box. God is putting together the puzzle of your life. One piece may not look good. One piece may not seem fair. But we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). Not each thing. All things. Together.

And He never sends you into a trial empty handed. If you lack wisdom, He gives it liberally (James 1:5). If your strength is small, and it will be, He renews it in those who wait upon Him (Isaiah 40:31). I believe a day is coming when we will stand before the Lord and ask Him why. Why that loss. Why that season. Why that thorn. And I believe He will answer with five words. It was expedient for you. You do not have to understand it to trust Him with it. He is good. He is wise. He never makes a mistake. And He is taking you home.

Did this devotional speak to you?

Application

Name the piece you cannot make sense of, and say it out loud to God. Then, instead of demanding an explanation, ask Him for what He has promised to give you in it. Wisdom to see it through His eyes. Strength for this one day. Then take one obedient step, whether the picture is clear or not.

Victory Verse

"Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is." — Jeremiah 17:7

Additional Verses

"These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you. But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. 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."

"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

"And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:"

Daily Scripture Reading

Join us as we read through the Bible in one year, growing together in God’s Word day by day. Click on any underlined verse to access Pastor Burns’ helpful study notes and deeper insights.

Ecclesiastes 1:1-3:22

2 Corinthians 6:1-13

Psalm 46:1-11

Proverbs 22:15

Every Day in the Word

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This Week's Radio Program

Week Eighteen • May 3, 2026

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Trusting God With Tomorrow (Pt. 3)

In this final part of the message, “Trusting God with Tomorrow,” we are brought face to face with a powerful truth from Scripture—while we often plan our days and assume the future, the Bible teaches us that life is fragile, uncertain, and completely in God’s hands. As James reminds us, our life is “even a vapour” that appears for a little time and then vanishes away . The issue is not planning, but planning without God—living as though we are in control of what only God knows.

This message walks through the heart of biblical trust: having a proper perspective of tomorrow, a humble posture before God today, and a surrendered plan that says, “If the Lord will.” Whether facing uncertainty, fear, or the illusion of control, we are called to draw near to God, rest in His care, and trust that His will is good, even when tomorrow is unknown. Because Christ has risen, our future is secure—not in our plans, but in His perfect hands.

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Trust in Him Trusting God With Tomorrow (Pt. 2) Week Sixteen • Apr 19, 2026

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