His Presence With Us

I Believe In the Holy Spirit.

One of the good outcomes of the present time, is learning again to appreciate those you cannot easily see.

It’s great to use blogs and messenger, video links, Zoom, and I’ve even learned the phrase ‘Webinar’? Whatever it means.

But, even with great access to digital technology, it’s not the same as actually being with someone.

I can look at endless pictures of the beach, I have even listened to the restful sounds of the tide's ebb and flow kindly recorded on Lindisfarne Holy island, but its still not the same as actually going, and getting my feet wet.

Likewise, your photo, your handwriting, your voice on the phone is great, but I imagine we would all prefer to meet those we care for, in person. Meeting up with. Sitting with. 

Chatting with. Sitting quietly with. Ruminating with.

In the days before I married, someone wise told me that one of the best things ahead was knowing that someone else was there, with you. And it’s very true.

The presence of another is such a comfort. And Jesus knew this when He promised not to leave His followers, alone.  His promised presence.

There are so many things that might be said or taught about the Holy Spirit.

But as I have been thinking about this series, the foremost aspect seems to be just this;

that He is with us.

‘Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Comforter to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth.”’

Jesus promised us, that if we love Him, and show it in our lives, He is able to come to us, and be with us.

He cannot dwell where there is sin. We need a clear out, a new beginning.

We need to be restored and renewed.

Didn’t He say just this to another enquirer, one evening? To Nicodemus. 

“Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

The kingdom of God, the things of God, the Spirit of God, cannot be with us or in us,

unless we are born again.

And that new life is the work which the  Holy Spirit carries out in all who turn their lives over to Jesus. When we repent, turn away from what we have been, and put our trust in the saving work Jesus did for us on the Cross, we move from what the Bible describes as ‘from death to life.’

We are born again.

We receive the eternal life won for us by Jesus.

And His Holy Spirit comes to work that in us.

Sometimes we question how?

‘Nicodemus asked, “How can someone be born when they are old?

Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”’

And Jesus anticipated his questions.

“Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

The Spirt comes to bring the new life to anyone who trusts and believes.

And comes and stays.

Jesus said, ‘You must be born again.’

The wind blows wherever it pleases.

You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.

So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

I remember as a very small child, sitting at mission services in my home church, and my mum telling me how people come under the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

And how for a time He will tarry with someone to draw them to salvation.

And how in the end, a person must bow the knee to God, for themselves.

Jesus will come, by His Spirit, and make His home in the life of someone who welcomes Him as Lord. He will be there. With us. In good times and in tough times. He will encourage and nudge and prompt, and lead and guide.  He promises never to leave us nor forsake us.

During my Christian life I have attended many different kinds of church services.

Some deeply formal, others loud and colourful; some urging for repentance,

some calling on the Holy Spirit to work, others quiet in their reverence.

There are so many varying opinions about so many things, and the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit is presented so differently across the Church.

But we all share that phrase in the Apostles’ Creed: ‘I Believe in the Holy Spirit.’

For me, I believe in His work in Creation, I believe in His activity at conversion, I believe in His comforting presence, I believe in His keeping power over sin, I believe He draws me onto my knees, and reassures me of my hope of heaven.

I do look forward to seeing so many people, in person. But in these set apart days, I am comforted and reassured and encouraged by the One who came and stayed.

He is always present.

Go to Him now, and allow Him to uphold you, and guide you and reassure you.

Jesus knew what we needed, when He sent His own Spirit into the world, for days such as these.

He told us that ‘the world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him.

But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.’

Many God bless you in these days, by the abiding presence of His own Spirit.

Amen.