Let me start off by giving some context to this wonderful verse. Jesus is speaking to his disciples and is telling them many important truths. He begins John chapter 14 by telling them that he is going away to prepare a place for them and that he will come back and get them. He also answers questions like, “Where are you going?” and “How can we know the way?”. Jesus responds, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes the Father except through me.”(vs.6) Then Jesus goes on the reveal the Father to them. He says something powerful, “I am in the Father and the Father is in Me.” (vs.11) He also teaches them to pray in His name and He will do it. (vs.14). Then in verse 16 we get to today’s word. “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever.”
Have you ever found yourself saying I wish I had some wise counsel? Well, God gave us one in the Holy Spirit who lives in every believer. Counselor in the Greek is parakaleo. It means to comfort, encourage, and exhort. This is what the Holy Spirt does for his children. He moves in us and brings comfort in difficult times. He brings encouragement when we may be down and discouraged. He also exhorts us. This word means to “urge, to advise or caution earnestly.” He advises us and in what we are to do and cautions us when we may be doing the wrong way.
I am blessed right now to have a counselor I meet with on a weekly basis. I am able to bring to her my struggles and my joys. My anxieties and fears. God has truly gifted her to help me look deeper at whatever I am facing and maybe see what the root of those issues might be. As much as I appreciate her, she could never replace the Holy Spirit’s counsel in my life. He guides me in what I am to write. He speaks through me when I don’t know what to say. He ministers to my heart when I am in great need of comfort. He teaches me things that I did not know.
I would like to challenge you today to think about what the Holy Spirit does in you own life. Write out a list and thank him for the work he is doing in and through you. We have this wonderful gift, OUR FOREVER COUNSELOR.
Walking In The Light 