Advocate and Helper
READ
As Christians, we worship and place our trust in the Triune God. Unfortunately, we often speak exclusively about the Father and the Son, neglecting the gracious and powerful work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God is an invaluable gift that should not be overlooked or devalued. The Father has given us His own Spirit, so that we might be nurtured, guided, helped, and comforted by His presence forever.
Let’s take a moment to read John 14:16-17:
“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.”
REFLECT
Take a moment and dwell on this powerful, radical Truth: the Spirit of the Most High lives with us and within us! When Jesus returned to heaven to be with the Father, He did not abandon us. He did not leave us alone. He sent us His Spirit, the Great Advocate, Helper, and Comforter. This Spirit continues to speak to us, transform us, and lead us into abundant life.
The Greek word used to describe the Holy Spirit in this verse (paráklētos) refers to an intercessor—one who pleads another’s cause before a judge. This doesn’t mean that the Holy Spirit offers God a list of our good deeds in hopes of persuading Him we are “righteous enough” to get into heaven. Rather, our Advocate brings God evidence of Jesus’ perfect obedience on the cross and asks Him to give us the reward Christ deserves. The Holy Spirit asks the Father to forgive us—not because we are holy or deserving, but because Jesus’ blood has washed away our sin.
The Holy Spirit is not only our Advocate on the Day of Judgment—He is our Advocate here and now. When we advocate for someone else, we fight for their best interest. Similarly, the Holy Spirit corrects us and guides us to live life as it was meant to be lived. The Holy Spirit wants us to thrive. To that end, He nudges us to serve others, speak words of kindness, forgive our enemies, and repent of our sins.
The word paráklētos can also be translated as “helper” or “comforter.” The Holy Spirit helps us in our times of need, reminding us of God’s Word when we are desperate for hope and direction (John 14:26). When we are grieving, in distress, and don’t have the words to pray, “the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans” (Romans 8:26). The Holy Spirit, as our comforter, offers us a supernatural peace that the world cannot give.
Additionally, our relationship with the Holy Spirit allows us to gain insight into how God thinks. As the apostle Paul points out, “No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:11). When we judge others, stew in bitterness, or feed into our anxiety, the Spirit intervenes and redirects us to think the way our Father does. He transforms and renews our minds, so that we can see the world through God’s eyes.
The Holy Spirit is not a gift that is relegated to those who speak in tongues and perform miraculous healings. The Holy Spirit is given to each and every one of us. The Holy Spirit is the very power of God, Who takes up residence in us and leads us in the Way Everlasting. The Holy Spirit is the gentle voice in our minds that prompts us to love, serve, and sacrifice for God’s glory and the good of His children.
RESPOND
Take a moment to process what God might be leading you to do in light of what you read.
How would you characterize your relationship with the Holy Spirit? Is there a step you need to take to better recognize and appreciate the gift of the Spirit?
How is the Spirit currently active in your life as a Helper and Comforter?
REST
Take a moment to rest in God’s presence and consider one thing you can take away from your time reading, then close your devotional experience by praying:
Lord Jesus, thank You for giving us the Holy Spirit. Thank You for being our forever Advocate, Helper, and Comforter. Help me to recognize the mighty work of Your Spirit in my life. Let me praise and worship You for all that Your Spirit accomplishes in and through me. In Your grace, let me follow where Your Spirit leads, so that You may be glorified and my neighbors might benefit from my obedience. In Your glorious name, I pray, Amen.
Port City writer Kate Redenbaugh wrote today’s devotional.