Nov 18, 2015
Our Incomparable Companion
John 14:16-18
Loneliness will creep into every life at some point. But believers are never truly alone because God has given us a permanent companion—the Holy Spirit. He is the Helper who is with us forever.
No one can truthfully promise to always be available to another person; the realities of time, distance, and even death can separate two people who would rather face difficulties together. Thankfully, by sending the Holy Spirit to live inside of us, Jesus Christ keeps His promise to never leave or forsake us (Heb. 13:5). This means that the relationship with our Companion is greater than any human relationship we have. Since God’s Spirit is a person of the Trinity, He is able to meet our every need. His foreknowledge allows Him to prepare our hearts and minds for any situation.
Human beings weren’t meant to live alone. God designed us to be complete only when we are indwelt by His Spirit, which occurs upon our salvation. We can choose to ignore the Holy Spirit however. For example, some people stubbornly attempt to live the Christian life in their own strength or skip Bible reading when they find meditating on the Word inconvenient. That kind of life is marked by discontent: Peace will be fleeting, and loneliness will feel like the heart’s permanent resident.
The Holy Spirit is our parakletos, or companion who “walks beside.” If we hold Him at arm’s length, we distance ourselves from the Father as well. But if we ask the Spirit to guide our steps and open our minds to God’s ways, He is available.
Bible in One Year: Acts 21-22 |
