Sunday Supernaturally: We are Not Alone!

“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. John 14:15-18 NLT

This has been a week of thanksgiving for me. Despite my considerable ignorance and personal frustrations, the Holy Spirit has helped me. Like many people, I tend to rely on my own strength and wit to deal with life’s problems. This is a plan for failure in the things of God. When I come to the end of myself, He is there. He is with me every moment of every day, ready with answers when I don’t even know the questions. Jesus didn’t leave us with a rule book and a warning to hang on for dear life. He left us with the Holy Spirit and a promise to teach us, guide us, and help us. We are not alone!

The Greek word translated “advocate” in the verses above is paráklētos. It is rendered in a variety of ways by translators. The Amplified Bible gives several options: Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby. When I am sad, He comforts me. When I’m confused, He gives me counsel. When the task is too much, He helps me. He intercedes for me in battle. When I fail, He is the advocate who pleads my case. When weariness and weakness overwhelm me, He gives me strength. No matter what the situation, He is ever present, ever able, ever willing, and ever faithful: He is my standby.

Let’s go to church today expecting the Paraclete, God the Holy Spirit, to do His work in our lives and the lives of everyone in the congregation. He is standing by.