In John 16 verse 7 Jesus says ‘…it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.’ (NLT)
The word ‘Advocate’, that Jesus uses here for the Holy Spirit is a difficult one to translate with any single English word. So, as the footnote here or other translations show, it can be translated using a variety of English words to convey the true meaning such as:
- Comforter
- Encourager
- Counsellor
- Helper
- Intercessor
- Strengthener
- Standby
Reflect
Take a moment to pause and to think of times in your own life when you have experienced the Holy Spirit in one or more of these ways.
For example, have you known the Holy Spirit as a Comforter when you have been in a distressing situation? Or perhaps you have faced a daunting task and found the Holy Spirit has been your Encourager.
Many of us can find ourselves unsure of how to pray for a particular distressing situation, but it is then that we can have the assurance that the Holy Spirit is our Intercessor when we don’t have the words we need (Romans 8:26-27).
Be encouraged and thankful to God as you are reminded of the evidence of his presence in your life.
When Jesus instructed his disciples ‘…stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.’ (Luke 24:49) he wasn’t just expecting each of them to be aware of God’s presence within them. Rather, they would be empowered to be his witnesses and to share the good news with those around them.
So too today, as we are each empowered and gifted by the Holy Spirit in our lives. We need to be listening and alert to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
Go Deeper
Is the Holy Spirit giving you a word of comfort or of encouragement for someone else? Or a burden to pray, to intercede for a particular person or situation? Perhaps you feel prompted to help someone in need or to stand with someone who is under pressure and needs support?
In all these ways, as well as praying for healing or sharing the good news more directly with others, we can be moving and ministering in the power of the Holy Spirit as Jesus’ disciples. Let us be expectant that God will make his presence known through us by his Spirit, showing himself in many different and wonderful ways.
