Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, in order that he may be with you forever-

John 14:16

The Greek word for advocate is paraklétos (par-ak’-lay-tos) which means an advocate, intercessor, a consoler, comforter, or helper. It generally describes someone who is called to aid, support, or intercede on behalf of another. It also describes someone who provides comfort and support – which is the more accurate translation. It isn’t really fair to say Ruach HaKodesh is our advocate because He does no interceding for us – that’s the role of Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5). While Ruach HaKodesh doesn’t intercede or advocate for us in that sense, He IS a comfort, a consoler, and an encourager. There is a universal trend in early children’s entertainment that there are encouragers. We teach it to them. Encouragement can make all the difference in life.

How do you make it up that hill? I thought I could and I told myself consistently that I could, says the Little Engine that Could. It encouraged itself. It encouraged itself when it was easy, when it was hard, and when it looked like it wasn’t going to make it. It said it over and over, regardless of circumstance and appearance until . . . It made it. At that point the chant changed from I THOUGHT I could to I KNEW I could – becoming a confirming refrain it would be able to rely on the next time a challenge appeared in its path. Classic story. That’s what Ruach HaKodesh does for us. He tells us we can do it in Jesus. He tells us we can stand on the Word. He tells us the reality that exists, but that we can’t quite see. And He does it consistently until we CAN see it in our heart. Not as a desire. Not as a wish. Not as a hope. Not as a theological concept. Not as a piece of doctrine. Not even as an encouragement. No, He encourages us until the unseen becomes seen. Until we KNOW the truth of it. Until we are so sure of the reality of it we are honestly BAFFLED that our body, friends, family, neighbours, co-workers, employers, and strangers on the street can’t see it too. That’s the level of encouragement that Ruach HaKodesh brings.

Paul knew it. He had experiencial knowledge of it. “Five times I received at the hands of the Jews forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I received a stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked. A day and a night I have spent in the deep water. I have been on journeys many times, in dangers from rivers, in dangers from robbers, in dangers from my own people, in dangers from the Gentiles, in dangers in the city, in dangers in the wilderness, in dangers at sea, in dangers because of false brothers, with toil and hardship, often in sleepless nights, with hunger and thirst, often going hungry, in cold and poorly clothed. Apart from these external things, there is the pressure on me every day of the anxiety about all the churches” (2 Corinthians 11:24-28). How did Paul make it through all of that? He had Ruach HaKodesh encouraging Him every step of the way. Persecution is NOT FUN. No one in their right mind would WANT it. But Jesus promised that it was coming because we believe in Him and the world HATES Him with an intense hatred that would like to see His Name wiped from the face of the Earth (Luke 21:12; 2 Timothy 3:12; John 15:18). How are we going to get through it whether it is minor or severe? The same way that Paul did. The same way that Jesus did. Do you think Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane hoping for the best? No! He was sweating blood. How did He get through that? Encouragement from Ruach HaKodesh. This is the way we overcome. We get encouraged to hang on from Ruach HaKodesh and then we use the strength the Father is giving us through Jesus’ Spirit and we hang on (Philippians 4:12).

Barnabas was an encourager. It was so much a part of his character that they changed his name to reflect it to everyone he met (Acts 4:36-37). Some scholars believe Barnabas was the young ruler who Jesus invited to join Him after he gave away his riches so they wouldn’t have a hold on his heart anymore (Matthew 19:16-26). If that’s true, He may have walked away from Jesus sad, but once he meditated it really took the lesson to heart. Barnabas was known for giving. He held nothing back. He also saw the best in people regardless of their past behaviours. What a lesson he is on encouragement. He gave Saul (later Paul) the benefit of the doubt and Saul had imprisoned, persecuted, and HATED the church. Barnabas made Saul his go-to guy. Convinced the Twelve that Saul was cool. Stuck with Mark after Mark abandoned them – faith well placed in the end as Mark was invaluable to both Peter and Paul. Barnabas was awesome. Well, Ruach HaKodesh didn’t need a name change. Encouragement IS His name. And He is infinitely better at it than the best human example of the early church.

Having issues? He is going to speak to you about how Elohim sees the situation. Don’t like how that went or how you reacted? He’s going to speak to you about the best you that you can be. The YOU in the Father’s eyes. Don’t like your life? Do you feel weak, anxious, depressed, lonely, or some other icky thing? He’s going to talk about how to overcome, in whom to overcome, and where the strength to do that comes from. He’s going to show you that in, through, and because of Jesus, you CAN do it. What’s more, when He’s done? You’ll KNOW it.

Daily Affirmation of the Goodness of Elohim: Mark 10:18

“So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.” We like to think of ourselves as ‘good’. We all have that relative – aunt, mother, grandmother, uncle – who is ‘good’. Always kind, generous, etc. The one you KNOW is in heaven because they were/are SO good. That human goodness? It’s a reflection. A poor substitute. A splash of light on the ceiling of our lives while outside shines the sun. The best of our best of our best is only us copying in a poor, miniscule way Elohim’s goodness. That’s quite a thing. Humans are capable of some extremely selfless acts. Some brilliant moments of goodness, kindness, and generosity. But ALL of them pale compared to Elohim. In fact, that streak of goodness in us is yet one more confirmation and declaration of Elohim’s existence (Romans 1:20). Elohim is a GOOD God. Our own personalities proclaim it. Next time you see a story of human goodness that touches your heart, take a moment to reflect on the TRUE goodness, the SOURCE of goodness, and see how His hand has worked in your life – small and great. You could even say a thank you.

Your Daily Confession of Elohim’s Goodness:

I taste and see that Yahweh is good; I am blessed because I take refuge in Him.

Psalm 34:8