John 14:15-17 – If you love Me, keep My commandments. 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. (NKJV)

Our youngest son, Nick, invited his parents on an annual family hike. His family likes to hike to waterfalls, and they have found new waterfalls to explore 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 three to nine.

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 above the tumbling water. We have to cross on that? I thought with alarm. It seemed impossible to me.

At first, I thought that 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 an old painting, which my pastor had in his living room, of an angel leading two children over a rickety bridge, with a waterfall in the background. That day'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 the Paraclete, from the Greek word parakletos — para: 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.

Hebrews 13:5b-6a – For [God] 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." (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 Him with us at all times.

Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (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. All it takes is for us to ask Him.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for the wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit. Thank You, Lord, that You are an ever-present help in times of trouble; indeed, You are close by at all times. Thank You, Holy Spirit, that You are just waiting for us to ask You to help us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Alice Burnett <terrencera.burnett@gmail.com>
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
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