Day 15 - Helped by the Spirit

Read John 14:15-17

In our final week of prayer and fasting, we will be dwelling on the person and work of the Holy Spirit. In John 14:15-17 Jesus introduces the Spirit to the disciples as the “Helper.” The disciples would have been familiar with the Spirit of God in the Old Testament. Here Jesus promises that He will send the Spirit to be with the disciples in a unique way. The Spirit is currently with the disciples but will be in them.

The Holy Spirit is the third member of the Trinity, God the Spirit. He is the primary way we see God manifest His presence with man. The Holy Spirit is not spoken of as a force but as a person with a mind and will as in 1 Corinthians 2:10: “…these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.”

Jesus uses the Greek word paracletos to describe the Spirit. In general, this word means someone who is called to one’s aid. It has been translated as helper, comforter, advocate, and counselor. Simply put the Holy Spirit is here to help us. Not only is God holy and powerful, not only did He come down in the form of man and die for us, but He sends His Spirit to dwell with us. The incredible gift of God’s presence through the Spirit is so powerful that Jesus tells his disciples: Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. John 16:7

Today let us thank God for the gift of His Spirit and seek to draw near to God so that we receive all the help available to us by the Helper.

by Aubrey Perea