“… But there is a [true, loving] friend who [is reliable and] sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24, AMP)
I would propose that the one person in the Triune God that we know the least is the Holy Spirit and His work. We really shouldn’t since His work is ongoing in our lives each day. And like the Father and Son, He is NOT ‘out there’ and unknowable… He is with us to enable us in our day. Remember what Jesus told His disciples that seemed incredibly impossible? In John we read two very significant verses.
“But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor, Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.”
(John 14:26, AMP)“But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father—the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future].”
(John 16:13, AMP)
But what does this mean? John 14 delineates all the roles that the Holy Spirit embodies on our behalf. All we need do is to turn to Him and ask. What do you need? What is the role you need from Him right now? Advocate? Intercessor? I know that I have needed His intercessions for me numerous times. And He always is there. Maybe you need Him to be your Comforter but don’t feel that your need is all that important? Not true. His comfort is an encourager for us to be or to do what needs be. Or maybe it’s just that life has gotten to be too much at this moment and His comfort will see you through. Never dismiss your need nor His provision.
Do notice in John 16 that the Lord continues to expand on what the Holy Spirit’s role is and His source of authority. The Holy Spirit is described/defined as the Spirit of Truth. What reassurance this brings! We can know, confidently, that what is said comes from the Father and is to assist us in our lives. The Holy Spirit confirms again in our spirit who Jesus was and is and continues to be.
I can’t speak for you, but for me having the Holy Spirit active in my life is critical. Knowing that whatever the future brings, I can rely on Him and His assistance in the good times as well as the bad. (And never forget Him during the joy and good times.)
For God has unveiled them and revealed them to us through the [Holy] Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things [diligently], even [sounding and measuring] the [profound] depths of God [the divine counsels and things far beyond human understanding].” (1 Corinthians 2:10, AMP)
The Holy Spirit will continue to reveal to me what I need to know when I need to know it. Trust becomes an issue but I’m beginning to see that fear can attempt to derail our trust by telling us we need to know NOW. However, this is a time when we can build our faith instead.
“In the same way the Spirit [comes to us and] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself [knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words. And He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because the Spirit intercedes [before God] on behalf of God’s people in accordance with God’s will.” (Romans 8:26-27, AMP)
There are over 100 verses that talk about the Holy Spirit and who He is and what He does. This discussion barely scratches the service. However, these 5 verses: Proverbs 18:24, John 14:26, John 16:13, 1 Corinthians 2:10, Romans 8:26-27 – will provide you with a starting point for you to begin your journey of appreciation of the who, what, where, when of the Holy Spirit… our Helper.
