8-27-2016

          John 14:16; “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,”

      In our world today, there seems to be more and more open hostility toward the Christian faith than ever before.  This may or may not be true but it certainly feels that way; it sure seems that at every turn we are mocked, denounced, attacked, ridiculed and rejected.  It was a few months ago when a young man, seemingly full of himself like young men can be, told me quite emphatically that, “I don’t need your God.”  Now I am not sure what he expected; I would guess an argument of some sort; but he didn’t get one from me that day.  I looked at him and said, “Good for you” and that was the end of it.  I am not sure if he was disappointed that I didn’t argue or if he thought he had won because I walked away or if it left him confused but it ended right there. He didn’t need God so good for him.  As for me, I need God, I rely on God, and God is my source for all of my needs. 

    Our verse is one of those verses that are really interesting because we don’t really have the right word in English.  The word here is “Helper.”  In other translations it is “advocate,” “counselor,” “comforter”, “assistant.” “Intercessor” and the list goes on.  The word in Geek is Paraclete or Parakletos.  The word really means all of these and even more.  The word roughly means “the one who walks along beside and guides.”  It very accurately defines what and who the Holy Spirit is in our life.  The Holy Spirit is to lead us to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and give us divine strength needed to enable us to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom. 

     I often explain life as a journey or a walk.  Because of God’s grace and mercy for me, he gives us the Holy Spirit to lean on, to look to for guidance and one who gives us a deeper understanding of our faith.  The Holy Spirit is the one who “reminds us of what Jesus said.”  He reminds us of Jesus’ promises and his words of comfort and hope.  I know I need this and I know many others who do as well.  I know families whose parents or grandparents are struggling greatly with health issues.  Some have children or siblings who are struggling with different addictions.  Some are struggling with a loss of love from their spouse or other family.  Often I hear, “I don’t know how unbelievers make it; I couldn’t do it without God.”

    The young man who I talked to probably only thinks he has things figured out or maybe he has yet to experience one of those life events which really knock us down.  Yet for those of us who need God; He is there walking with us giving us the love and support that we so desperately need.  He has promised us this.

Gracious Lord, I need you every hour.  I look and listen and often see and hear only pain and cries of sorrow.  It is only through your Spirit that we can see the hand of comfort that is yours.  Reach out to all who are hurting or struggling with the effects of a broken world.  Hold them close to your heart.  In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret