It’s an inside job (3)

“I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.” John 14:16

In the New Testament account, Jesus told His disciples, “I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.” The Greek source for the word Comforter is Parakletos, which means “one who comes alongside” to strengthen, encourage, and advise you. How good is that? When you feel discouraged, confused, and powerless, you have access to a wise, compassionate, competent helper who will show up to support you and supply you with what you need. So instead of struggling to go it alone, learn to lean on Him, draw on His power, and trust Him to do His mighty work in you. Paul also tells us, “He [the Holy Spirit] will tell you where to go and what to do…then you won’t always be doing the…things your evil nature wants you to” (Galatians 5:16 TLB). The battle of the Spirit versus the flesh is unrelenting. And our fleshly nature can never be subdued by human thinking; that just produces defeat and discouragement. What’s the answer? The Holy Spirit “will tell you where to go and what to do.” And here is another wonderful benefit the indwelling Holy Spirit will bring you: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God…are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14). Praying and taking your best guess isn’t God’s way. The Holy Spirit’s guidance—not our guesswork—should direct our lifestyle. So the word for you today is—remember “it’s an inside job.”

Bible in a year: Ecc 7-9 and 2 Corinthians 6