Jesus said that he had to depart in order for the Holy Spirit to come (John 16:7). And when the Spirit of God did come, he was given to the church as a promised gift or down payment to confirm to us that Jesus Christ will return (Luke 24:49; John 14:16; Acts 1:5). Believers don’t all agree on how or when we receive the Holy Spirit, but the fact remains that he indwells and is accessible to all who have faith.
When we pray and ask the Lord to show us what to do in any specific situation, we are also asking the Holy Spirit to be with us, guide us, and teach us. Scripture tells us that the Spirit of the Lord is evident in a believer’s life when:
• The power of sin is no longer in control (Romans 8:2-6),
• Self-control is displayed (Galatians 5:22-23),
• Prompting or leading is given to the believer (Acts 8:29; Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:16,25),
• Talents/gifts are manifested in a person’s life (1 Cor 12:4-11),
• The strength and power to witness is evident (Acts 1:8; 4:31),
• The conviction of sin occurs (John 16:8),
• Comfort through difficult times/trials is experienced (John 14:16,27),
• We have a teachable heart (1 John 2:27),
• God’s character traits are manifested in the believer’s life (Galatians 5:22-23), and
• Inner strength is given (Ephesians 3:16).
Interestingly enough, it was the Holy Spirit who led Jesus into the desert where the Spirit knew he would be tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1). Does it seem logical that God’s Holy Spirit would do the same in our lives? If Christ is our example, then the answer is yes, and for the same reason – so that we may glorify God. Additionally, difficulty in life increases our faith and helps us grow in spiritual maturity, both of which are evidence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Through the Holy Spirit the believer is controlled by God’s desires and is equipped to do all he has called him to do, including the endurance of suffering (Ephesians 5:18-21; Romans 12).
We read in Acts that after Jesus was taken up into heaven, the early Christians were suffering tremendous grief over their loss. But Jesus had promised them a Comforter, and sure enough, at Pentecost the received that comfort through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The predominant role of the Holy Spirit is the same now as it was for the early believers – to soothe our grief, fill and control us, and remind us all of Christ’s teachings.
There may be times when we must wait patiently for the fulfillment of a promise. We must cling to what God has told us despite external evidence that may seem to indicate that God has forsaken us. There may be a moment in time when we begin to believe the lie that God doesn’t care, has deserted us, or is not invested in our agony, when in fact he has promised the Comforter who will come. There is sometimes a moment of time (that feels like eternity) between our loss or grief and the fulfillment of a promise. Even Jesus experienced this when he cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
The apostle Paul tells us in Acts 20 that the Holy Spirit warned him that he would face prison and other hardships. His response? “I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus” (v. 24). The “ministry” he spoke of was that of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace, which is always sufficient when needed.
Suffering is a part of every believer’s life at one point or another and as such is inevitable. How we handle it depend on whether or not we have faith in God. I pray daily for those who are suffering and often wonder where God is in the midst of the heartache of others. Many of you have shared such feelings. I’ve felt that way before too. But faith tells us that He will never leave us nor forsake us, nor will He allow us to endure anything He does not believe will strengthen our faith. Some of my deepest struggles in life have been accompanied with tremendous spiritual growth.
In closing, I encourage you to seek the Lord in prayer and ask Him to help you keep your eyes on the prize before you so that you can run the race with confidence and surety that He is with you and guiding your every step. He is faithful even when we are faithless. He is ever-loving even when we doubt His love, and He is always ready to apply the balm of Gilead on our wounds when we will ask and allow Him to do so. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
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