HOLY SPIRIT PROMISED BY GOD’S DEAR SON. John 14. Harrold Steward.

Our Lord promised He would ‘ask the Father that He would give you another Comforter, that He might remain with you forever.'’( v16 ) His coming was therefore, no accident, but the direct result of the Saviour’s prayer to the heavenly Father, and the eternal planning of the infinite Three-in-One. Was ever a prayer like that! Was ever a greater Gift except for the Son Himself. We must re-evaluate the power of prayer.

Our dear Saviour assured, ‘He will give you ‘another’ comforter. The Greek language uses 2 words for ‘another’. This word is one of the same nature and quality, revealing that the Holy Spirit was the essence of the Father and Son Who had been indivisible during the eternity past. The disciples grappled with losing the dear Son of God after His death, burial , resurrection and ascension to heaven. Now the Lord planted the hope that another of the same characteristics would substitute for the absent Son of Man. Phew! What blessed comfort to the disciples after three years in His royal presence ; and to the suffering churches in our time.

The Amplified Bible expands our understanding of Comforter with the Greek ‘Parakletos ‘( Called alongside to help ) with the titles, Comforter, Counsellor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby. I have found this so helpful in understanding the mystery and sheer wonder of the Holy Spirit. It is tragic that many of God’s people have shied away from knowing Him Who has come to bring Christ’s life into our personal, daily experience.

I draw a triangle in my bible when I recognise the three members of the Holy Trinity ( or Triunity as Sidlow Baxter described Him ). Thus, I instantly and surprisingly pinpoint this comforting truth in Old and New Testaments. I commend it to you.

The promised Comforter is also described in the twenty sixth verse of this chapter, ‘but the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father shall send in My Name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance , whatever I have said to you.’ He came with teaching and reminding power. Some of the greatest teachers of God’s Word have been men and women of limited intellect or educational privilege, but have been mighty in the Word of God. I regard A.W. Tozer as one of the spiritual giants of the last generation, who was taught of the Spirit of God, and so preached and wrote much of Him.

In the early days of W.W 11, when our hospital was stationed in Egypt, a converted musician taught me much of ‘Christ in the Old Testament.’ How much I owed to Norman , who had no formal training, except from God’s gracious Spirit. Later in Papua New Guinea, Scotty, a coal miner, deeply steeped in God’s Word taught me spiritual truths during relief from hospital duties. The Spirit of God had taught both men, who tutored me. Remind the Lord of His gracious promise that the Holy Spirit will mentor you in all things. This intimate, loving provision has no substitute.

I have recently spoken to Messianic Muslims , who confidently and vigorously deny the physical death, bodily resurrection and ascension of our dear Lord. How precious are these truths to God’s people, which we must defend. With a quick prayer to my Lord for help, He flooded my mind with the truths of God’s word. I thanked my God for this instantaneous help, proof of the Holy Spirit activating my memory. Only what is stored from memorising can be surfaced in our mind. Start memorising the Word.

My wife, Gwenda, always tells how the Spirit of God stirs her memory when callers at our home need to hear the precious truths of the gospel to counter the error which they teach. Often well-hidden truths of past years flash back with such accuracy.

Another special use of the word ‘comforter’ is found in John 15:26, where John writes’ When the comforter is come , whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of Truth, who proceeds from the Father, He shall testify of Me.’ Our Lord Jesus sent the Spirit of God from the throne of heaven to be the spirit of truth. Christ said, ‘I am the truth’ in 14:6. Now the essence of the everlasting truth is poured out into the lives of believers. That’s why we are so sure of our great salvation.

More than this He promised that ‘He will testify or speak of Me.’ God’s Spirit delights to unfold the beauties and graces of our Lord Jesus. This was His highest purpose in leaving heaven behind and exposing the marvellous being of our Lord Jesus.

As a diamond flashes its brilliant rays, so the Spirit of God radiates the splendour of the Son. When you open your Bible, the Comforter reveals the deep and hidden truths of our Lord Jesus, to the delight of the reader or hearer. Keep an open heart.

Advocate is a legal term for one who speaks in our defence. When satan attacks us, The spirit of God raises His voice assuring us that we are His children and secure in His love, meanwhile rebuking the enemy for assaulting us. He is the perfect Defender.

More than that, 1 John 2:1 says’ And if any man sin we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins.’ The Son of God pleads your name before the Father that His Calvary sufferings propitiated ( or fully satisfied ) the righteous requirements of the holy God. You are doubly secure, with the Spirit , living in you , and the eternal Son in heaven safeguarding you.

Please refer to God’s Plan on the web site. We would love to hear from you.

The Lord bless you in your walk with Him hgsteward@cobweb.com.au

Harrold Steward