Why is this so hard to believe? We aren't bold enough to say it but we think, "Yeah, right" when we hear this. We imagine how much better off the apostles must be when they have Jesus with them.
For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you
Do we know the Advocate? It is the power and presence of the Holy Spirit which makes now even better than when Jesus walks the earth. The disciples are fearful and uncertain until Pentecost. Even knowing about the resurrection isn't enough. It is at Pentecost that the receive the joy, purpose, and confidence that they Jesus wants them to have.
When Paul and Silas are put in prison they are given the opportunity to escape. But it is only by the Holy Spirit that they have the power to remain there in spite of that opportunity. Only in the guidance of the Holy Spirit do they know there is a mission for them still within the prison. He teaches them that to remain is not foolish, but important to the kingdom. Only in the courage and the peace of the Holy Spirit are they able to remain in such a difficult place filled with sadness and they promise of suffering. But in this place God gives them the earthquake to assure them that he is in charge of the situation. Yet leaves the choice to stay or to go in their hands. More powerful even than the earthquake is the Holy Spirit within them which stays for the sake of love.
Your right hand saves me.
The LORD will complete what he has done for me;
The Holy Spirit gives us confidence in God. He is our Advocate. He gives us the strength to trust in God no matter how he chooses to work. Sometimes he will lead us out from the prisons of our lives. Sometimes he will have us stay for the sake of others. But in all cases we can be sure that the LORD will complete his work in us.
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (cf. Phi. 1:6)
May the Advocate fill our hearts, too, that no blessings of the LORD go unrealized. May the Holy Spirit strengthen and guide us that no one need despair of God's love.
So they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to everyone in his house.
He took them in at that hour of the night and bathed their wounds;
then he and all his family were baptized at once.
He brought them up into his house and provided a meal
and with his household rejoiced at having come to faith in God.
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