The Christian’s Helper

No child of God is ever alone. We are indwelled by the invincible Helper, the Holy Spirit of God. The word translated helper or comforter in our English Bible means one who comes alongside. His coming alongside is permanent, for we are sealed by the Holy Spirit.

                Words fail to express how necessary it is to know and believe this. The Holy Spirit is the great gift from the Father, sent by the Father and Son to quicken, justify, adopt, sanctify, and raise our bodies from the dust. The presence of the Holy Spirit is the source of all spiritual life, present help, and future blessing. He gives us new life in Christ. He illumines our minds in the knowledge of the truth and subdues our devilishly stubborn wills to a teachable frame.

                We must respect our Helper. He is the HOLY, HOLY, HOLY God. How carefully we must think and speak, about ourselves and each other! Since He is God indwelling us, we should not worry but bring our cares to him, not fear but trust his strength and assistance. He keeps his word to help us. We must trust him, wait upon him, and fight the temptation to doubt and despair. We are never alone, never forgotten, never ignored.

                Because we have such a helper, let us not neglect Him. Are we tempted? Call upon the Lord and ask the Spirit to arm you with his weapons. Does discouragement haunt your soul? Remember that God claims you for his own possession and gives you the Spirit as his pledge never to leave or forsake you. Does the world taunt and persecute? Has madness gripped multitudes? To be without God’s help, without his fellowship, the very best men are nothing but vanity. With God’s help, we can overcome the world.

                One caution: the Helper helps by his wisdom and purpose. Do not think the Spirit helps you like you want to be helped. He will help as he wishes. He is working out his wise purposes in our lives, and we do not know what those are. We see only the “shadow of his ways,” as Job confessed. But, when the Spirit is near and working, he creates and sustains a humble, praying spirit in us. He sustains faith in God’s promises and hope when our hearts are breaking.

                His help also breaks our hearts from the love of sinning. His help does not grant worldly wants but heavenly hunger – affections set on Christ! He gives us help that makes us more obedient, more willing to deny ourselves and take up our crosses. Too many want him to help by taking away our need for help. This is not his way. His help is truthful about our weakness and his sufficiency.

                Do we turn to our Helper in every need – or try to go it alone? Do we trust and rejoice that God himself – the omnipresent, omniscient, all-wise God – is with us? That He is working his good pleasure in us? How joyful we should be to have Eden’s daily fellowship restored! The Spirit is working to make us like our Savior. He is praying and encouraging, defending and guiding. We cannot possibly fail to endure to the end and reach heaven’s glories. God the Spirit will carry us there.

                Now, what are we to do with such a helper? Rejoice. Trust the Father’s great promise. Never depend upon your own strength and wisdom. When the world is scattering in fear or hatefully screaming, stand boldly and see God’s great salvation. When the flesh longs for sin’s fleeting pleasures, ask the Spirit to give appetite for Christ’s fellowship and pleasure. Pray without ceasing. Expect him to do great things for us. We are God’s children. He dwells with us. He always takes care of his house.