“[Jesus said] — And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that he may abide with you forever– the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16,17 NKJV)

Our youngest son, Nick, invited his parents on a family hike. His family likes to hike to waterfalls, and have found a new waterfalls to explore on Father’s Day for the past several years. The hike has to be in the easy to moderate category to be enjoyable for their four children, ranging in age from nine to three.

Our hike took us along a beautiful wooded trail in the mountains, and followed a creek for a while. All of a sudden the trail seemed to dwindle to nothing. All that was visible was a log across the creek, about a metre high over the tumbling water. * We have to cross on that? * I thought with alarm. It seemed impossible to me.

At first I thought I could straddle the log and inch my way across. That didn’t work. All I got for my efforts was a poke in the thigh and a bruise from one of the broken-off branches sticking out of the dead tree.

I thought of a copy of an old painting my pastor had in his living room, of an angel leading two children over a rickety bridge, with a waterfall in the background. Today’s experience was a little like that. Nick edged out on the log, and held out his hand. I took it, and holding lightly to his fingers, balanced my way across the log. So easy, with that little bit of help!

In the same way, the Holy Spirit is a helper to us who believe in Jesus. Sometimes He is called Paraclete, from the Greek word *paracletos. * Para: from, close beside, and * kletos: * called to one’s aid.

When Jesus went back to heaven, He promised to send a helper, the Holy Spirit, so that anyone who believed could continue to have Jesus’ presence. Nick didn’t just help “me” over the log, he helped his children and the rest of us who needed help. Likewise, the indwelling Holy Spirit multiplies the presence of Jesus, who was once physically present with the disciples and others while here on earth.

“For He [Jesus] himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The LORD is my helper; I will not fear.’” (Hebrews 13:5, 6a NKJV)

As Nick was able to help me just by being so close, Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, never fails us, nor abandons us. We have have Him with us at all times.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1 NKJV)

As I was wondering how to get across that log, all I had to do was to ask for help. Likewise, the Holy Spirit is ready and able to help us when we need Him. 

Doing something in my own strength doesn’t always work, as I found out as I attempted to cross by straddling the log. How much better it is to summon the Holy Spirit, who comes to our aid and helps the situation go so much better!

Can we remember that we have a wonderful Helper who is always available for us?


Copyright © 2021, by Alice Burnett <terrencera.burnett@gmail.com>, first published on the PresbyCan Daily Devotional presbycan.ca 
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada

Used with the permission of PresbyCan and author.