The Holy Spirit, Our Helper and Source of Peace - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - February 28, 2025
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:26
When my kids were little, they were always so eager to do things themselves. Even the hard things. I would watch and gently ask if they needed me to help them, and the answer was always a firm, “No.”
I would stand by and watch as they would struggle through and sometimes make a small achievement. More often than not, however, they would be defeated and frustrated at their inability to do the thing they wanted most.
I am not so different, even as an adult. I fail to ask for help when I should. I was raised on the phrase, “If you want something done right, do it yourself.” I am stubbornly self-reliant and try so hard to just do things on my own.
The hard days come and the stubborn persistence to do it on my own often leaves me more exhausted than successful. All the while, God is watching like a faithful parent and urging me to lean in for help.
In John 14, Jesus is in the Upper Room, giving His final instructions before His death. He is comforting His disciples and preparing them for what's to come. Jesus reassures them that though He may be physically leaving, the Holy Spirit will come.
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. Not a force, but a divine person who is co-equal and co-eternal with God the Father and God the Son. There is nothing within our comprehension that can help us fully explain the mystery of the Trinity.
We sit in the beautifully glorious tension of mystery, that all three are fully God, yet unique, but never separated.
The Holy Spirit's coming had and has effectual purpose. His job is essential to salvation in convicting the world of their sin (John 16:8-11). The Spirit brings new life to those who are in Christ, transforming them into children of God (Titus 3:5). The Spirit of God lives within believers as a guarantee of our eternal inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14).
On this side of the New Testament, we know all of this to be true. Yet, for the disciples in the Upper Room, this must have sounded strange that a “Helper” was coming. They were likely grieving the idea that their friend, their teacher, would be leaving them. They had yet to fully grasp what was about to take place.
The word “helper” in this passage comes from the Greek parakletos, which means an advocate or one who intercedes. The Spirit to come would be so much more than merely a helper.
The Spirit deepens a believer's understanding of God and His Word. The Spirit of God teaches truth (1 Corinthians 2:10-13). Christ goes even further to say that the Spirit of God will bring to their remembrance all He has taught them while He was with them.
Have you ever experienced a time when something is said and you remember a verse of Scripture? Maybe it was when you found yourself in troubling circumstances and a comforting truth came to mind. This is the Holy Spirit bringing to remembrance the truth of God.
In addition, God does not give us peace as the world does. The world seeks peace in self-satisfaction, pleasure, and perfect circumstances. God gives peace that surpasses our understanding, guarding our hearts (Philippians 4:6-7).
The peace that God gives is rooted in our eternal security. Our peace isn’t found in our circumstances. Circumstances are temporary, fleeting, and rarely perfect.
This peace that God provides in the Holy Spirit was the second part of the promise Christ made to His disciples about the Holy Spirit. The promise that the Spirit would teach all things and give peace.
When we think of peace, we often think of a life or world absent of conflict and struggles. Our perception of peace is shaped by the world rather than by God. However, Christ promises peace through the Spirit. This is true, eternal, hope-filled peace.
There is no greater help the Holy Spirit could give than that of peace. As an anxious human, it doesn’t take much to throw me out of a state of peace. One thought can often cause a great deal of chaos. I have spent countless hours trying to fix it on my own rather than resting in the peace that the Spirit gives.
God keeps his promise to the disciples and to believers to not leave them without help. In giving them the Holy Spirit to be their helper and peace-giver giver, he keeps believers focused heavenward rather on than the world.
Let's pray:
Father, thank you for your loving kindness in sending your Holy Spirit to dwell in us as our helper and peace-giver. Thank you for your Spirit who reminds us of your Word and truth. Thank you for your Spirit who gives us peace when our circumstances and thoughts feel chaotic. Forgive us where we are self-reliant and help us to lean on the help that you give. Amen
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Vivek Doshi
Michelle Rabon is helping women be disciples who make disciples. Michelle has her MDiv in Ministry to Women from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently serving as Women’s Ministry Director in her local church. She is also the author of Holy Mess. When she is not writing or teaching, she enjoys reading, being close to the ocean, and drinking a lot of coffee. You can connect with Michelle at www.michellerabon.com
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