Fear No Fear

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

“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father—that one will testify about me”

John 15:26

This verse, along with John 14:16 & 26, formed the backbone of everything we have looked at this year regarding Ruach HaKodesh. It’s hard to sum up. There has been so much that we’ve looked at. He stands on His own. He is inseparable from Jesus – as is the Father. He guides, equips, encourages, teaches, corrects, empowers, acts, responds, directs, challenges, and so much more. He is all about the love of Jesus and seeing it active in our lives through revelation knowledge – not separate from the Word, or ‘new’, but directly growing up out of the Word. He is the ultimate commentator of the Word, which He wrote using human scribes to take down His utterances. He is an active cooperator with us as we walk where we are called to walk. He truly is the Ruach of Truth and our Comforter. But that means so much more than ‘there, there’ comfort – although He certainly provides that as well.

The first definition of comforter in the Merriam-Webster dictionary is ‘The Holy Spirit’. Which is awesome. Next is ‘one who gives comfort’. What is comfort then? It is defined as many things. The giving of hope and strength. Easing grief or trouble. A strengthening aid. Consolation in time of trouble or worry. Relief or encouragement. Contended well-being. A satisfying or enjoyable experience. One who brings or gives comfort. Assistance. Support. Solace. Cheer. Ruach HaKodesh is all those things and more. He does not bring us all the comforts of our earthly home, He brings all the comforts of the Kingdom – our heavenly home.

Ruach HaKodesh is a definite person. A distinct personality and voice. I’ve begun to learn when He is speaking to me Himself and when He is relaying to me or speaking to me what Jesus said. Which is different from when Jesus speaks to me. Jesus DID tell us “My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). He – as always – was not lying. If we will take the time and talk to Jesus, to Ruach HaKodesh, to the Father; we will learn to discern the differences between them. They NEVER contradict and they are ALWAYS in accord with the Word. So it is never like hearing mixed messages. It’s always the same consistent message from three different perspectives. It’s like when an actor is also either directing or producing the film they are in. Same person, but different decisions and answers to questions depending on which hat is being worn. They are all three Elohim Almighty, Yahweh, the Great I AM. But each personage has a slightly different way of interacting with us. They are One and they are Unique and we can recognise that. Getting to know Ruach HaKodesh as himself has been what this class has been all about. It is the START of the journey, not a comprehensive guide.

Where do we go from here? What are we taking with us? That He is our comforter and we should lean into Him in that role. Because it is His role. He was given to us for that purpose. Jesus used Him in that role. We should use Him in that role. Look back at that list of things that mean comfort. Ruach HaKodesh can be and is every one of those things to us. There is no end to what He can be for us. Whatever we NEED, He can be. But He doesn’t coddle us. This isn’t making Him fit into a form or to do what we want. He IS who He IS and can meet all our NEEDS. When we want godly things, we get what we want – in His timing and in His way. It’s easy to get caught up in a way something is phrased, but we have to remember that our journey is not about getting Adonai to give us a happy and pleasant life. Our journey is about becoming more like Jesus. Being joyful in Adonai. Being satisfied in Adonai. Being prosperous in Adonai. These things are our RIGHT as children of Adonai. But they mean so much more than things and circumstances. Paul went through some truly terrible circumstances with a smile in his heart (Romans 5:3-5). Jesus endured almost unimaginable suffering with a smile in his heart (Hebrews 12:2). How could they do that? Only because they had the COMFORT of Ruach HaKodesh. He transcends human thinking.

Ruach HaKodesh is from the Father and He has been given to dwell in us (1 Corinthians 3:16). The Father does not give useless gifts (James 1:17). There is a REASON for everything He does. We NEED Ruach HaKodesh. We NEED His counsel. His guidance. His teaching. His correction. His reminders to us that we can and should trust in Jesus. His constant pointing to Jesus as our hope, fulfillment, and salvation (with everything that word means). He is the power that fuels the signs and wonders that follow us. He is the ‘teleprompter’ we follow when we teach and preach. He is the still, small voice we consistently hear. He is more than a feeling. His is not an ephemeral mist. He is Elohim. He is Truth. He is trustworthy. He is who He is.

As you leave this study and head into the next year, remember that He is inside you. He isn’t floating around somewhere else. He is inside you. He fills you up as much as you let Him. “And if the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also make alive your mortal bodies through his Spirit who lives in you” (Romans 8:11). This is true spiritually, mentally, and physically. He is our PARTNER. Let Him be the SENIOR partner. Never forget to check in with Him. Never forget to listen to Him. And never forget to humbly submit and obey Him. You will never regret it. It will ALWAYS be to your benefit. He IS our comforter in good times. He IS our comforter in challenging times. No matter our situation, He bring CLARITY and GUIDANCE. We will NEVER need to worry when we are in communication with Him and doing what He reveals to us to do – which will be the perfect will of the Father. Amen and Amen. Thank you, Father, for such a PERFECT gift. And thank you, Ruach HaKodesh, for coming to live with us. May we all cooperate with you and journey hand in hand every day of our lives. Now AND forever.

Daily Affirmation of the Goodness of Elohim: Psalm 23:1-3

“Yahweh is my shepherd; I will not lack for anything. In grassy pastures he makes me lie down; by quiet waters he leads me. He restores my life. He leads me in correct paths.” To guide on a way especially by going in advance. To direct on a course or in a direction. To direct the operations, activity, or performance of. To have charge of. To go at the head of. This is what it means to lead. This is what Jesus did for us (Deuteronomy 31:8; 1 Peter 2:21-25). This is what Jesus is STILL doing for us. He is our firstfruits (1 Corinthians 15:20). The pattern that we get to conform to because of what He did for us on and through the cross. We are in a place where we don’t have to know everything to make the right decision. We can trust His judgment. We can investigate His character (Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 13) and through Ruach HaKodesh investigate His mind (1 Corinthians 2:16). We have evidence upon evidence upon evidence that He BLESSES us (Ephesians 1:3-14). We know He wants the best for us. And if we will trust Him, we will join Him in His overcoming victory (Revelation 22:17). Provided for. Guided. Corrected. Taught. And rested in Him. What a GOOD God!

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