Holy Spirit Our BFF (Best Friend Forever) by Helen Robinson
Every story has a beginning, a middle and an end.
If it is a good story, there will be plot twists, problems for the protagonist to overcome and if its’ a really good story, it will have a ‘happy ending’ where they
“All Lived Happily Ever After”
Stories often also give the main character a best friend.
Someone who sticks with them through thick and thin.
In Paul’s letter to the Philippian church, (Philippians 1:6) to his dear friends –
he is quite clear that there is a beginning and a completion or finishing time for all of us in Christ. The Middle; the bulk of the story he summarises as..
‘..He will carry it on..’
Some variations on this are;
‘..He will continue His work..’
‘..He will perform it..’
‘..perfect it..’
‘..accomplish that..’
‘..He won’t stop..’
The emphasis is on Him and His grace towards us.
Paul’s confidence was founded on all that he knew and had experienced of God.
If we look at God’s story we see in Genesis 1:2; In the beginning..the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. And in Genesis 2:1; So the heavens and the earth and everything in them were completed.
We also learn as we turn to Proverbs 8:22-31 that; ‘The Lord acquired me at the beginning of creation, before His works of long ago. I was formed before the ancient times, from the beginning before the earth began…I was a skilled craftsman beside Him. I was rejoicing in His inhabited world, delighting in the children of Adam."
As we continue to move our way through His story we also find that ‘Where can I go to escape your presence?..If I go up to heaven you are there..If I live at the eastern horizon or settle at the western limits. Even there your hand will lead me; your right hand will hold to me.’ (Psalm 139:7-10)
His precious Spirit, whispers His name, voice and presence throughout scripture.
Ruach Elohim, breath of God, the divine and most Holy.
He is absolutely ever present.
This Spirits’ name is known in the Greek also as Paraclete; an advocate, ‘to call to ones’ aid’. Para –‘to comfort’, to console, alongside. Kele – to shout, proclaim, announce, report, fame – in the Greek. I love that!
The Holy Spirit’s role, just as it was for Jesus and the Father – is to give, proclaim and make famous His wonderful name!
He does this as Jesus says in John 14:16; ‘And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another counsellor to be with you forever. He is the Spirit of Truth.. the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all t