By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
John 14:16-18 “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”
As Jesus continued to reassure His troubled disciples, He promised to ask the Father to give another advocate, the comforter, the Holy Spirit. He would help and be with them the same way Jesus had been doing. The disciples felt like orphans, left and unattended to by the physical departure of Jesus. They imagined the loneliness, the vulnerability from suffering and attacks of their enemies.
Fear, loneliness, rejection, vulnerability and feelings of abandonment affect us similarly today. Our hearts get broken by various situations of life. We hurt and go through pain. All such situations make our hearts cry out for the warmth of comfort and support. The ministry of the Holy Spirit extends to cater for our comfort needs today. There is so much this world throws at us. Jesus said we would face trouble in the world (John 16:33).
The Holy Spirit presence in every believer gives the comfort that cushions us from the devastating effects of the stresses and challenges of life. He is present all the time with us. He wants to commune with us, assure us God’s care, presence, protection and provision. This is what peacefully settles our hearts despite the storms and troubles of life. Trust Him always. He is present with you.
Matthew 28:20 “…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””
Shalom children of God.