Just not so long ago we observed the Pentecost season and it always warms my heart when I am reminded of the tremendous sacrifice that the Lord Jesus Christ made for you and I. In John 16:7 (NKJV) the Lord Jesus said "Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you."
I had the privilege of speaking at an open air meeting on a rugby field in Vereeniging on a very warm winter's day and as we spoke about the person of the Holy Spirit a beautiful gentle breeze blew through that rugby stadium and people were amazed at how God physically impressed Himself upon us. I think the biggest problem amongst believers is that they minimise the reality of the third person of the God Head, namely our Lord Holy Spirit. That unbelief limits God to work on our behalf. Horatius Bonar a very f famous Scottish hymn writer who loved the Lord passionately said "All unbelief is the belief of a lie," and of course we know exactly who the father of all lies is, the deceiver of the brethren, it is the devil himself. He hates God so much that his primary weapon is to bring "deception" amongst the believer and of course if you can't believe then God can't work.
The woman with the issue of blood who said to herself "If I could just touch the hem of His garment, I will be healed." She was desperate, she had no money, all her money had been used up and no doctor could help her (Matthew 9:22) When she touched the hem of His garment and the Bible says that that issue of blood that had been flowing for twelve years was instantly dried up and she was healed. Jesus turned around and said "Women your faith has made you well." We see the same things happening to the blind man Bartimaeus in Mark 10:52 (NKJV) where he said "Rabboni (Teacher), that I may receive my sight," and the Lord said "Go your way; your faith has made you well." When we start to understand that the Holy Spirit is a friend who sticks closer than a brother and wants to help us in every aspect in our lives because He is the Comforter (Parakletos which is Greek), the Encourager, the Counsellor and the Advocate. He is available for you and me.
All we have to do is call upon Him. I have started to do that more now than ever before in my life, because I am realising like never before that without Gods supernatural intervention you and I are not going to make it. Let us start to pay more homage, more respect, and more love, towards our Lord Holy Spirit. Jesus knew the potential of the Holy Spirit to help us so much that He said it is more advantageous for you that I go away because if I do not go away I cannot send the Helper. We need to cultivate our relationship with Him. Many people say, "But I can't hear Him speak and I can't see Him." No, but He is there. Just like Jesus says you must be born again and Nicodemus said "How can a fully grown man go back into his mother's womb?" and the Lord said "You don't know where the wind comes from, you don't know where it blows to, but it is still blowing." That is the same with the Holy Spirit, we need to believe by faith and that comes purely by spending time reading Gods Word, spending time in prayer and fasting. The Lord doesn't say that we must tempt Him but he says that we can test Him just like Gideon did with that fleece and the Lord honoured him every time. Let us not neglect or reject such a beautiful gift that has been given to us. Since I have been baptised in the Holy Spirit and God has given me a beautiful new language my life has been enriched. When I have to leave my dear wife which is quite often to go overseas to preach the Gospel, I get extremely lonely. I am a real home sick farm boy, but I call upon the Holy Spirit, my Friend and He is indeed such a comforter and reassures me that Jill is well, that the Lord can look after her even better than I can and that encourages me.
May God bless you as you continue to trust the Holy Spirit for every aspect of your life and of your family and your business.
Yours in Christ's service
Angus Buchan
