“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:12-14&)
As Jesus addressed His disciples on the night before He was crucified, He knew that they were filled with questions and doubts. Jesus increased their consternation by telling them that not only would He be leaving shortly, they would suffer persecution for His name and He wasn’t going to be around to help them and give them advice and encouragement. Yet He did encourage them by telling them that His place would be taken by the Holy Spirit, the Comforter. The Holy Spirit would be with them at all times and in every place and situation.
All of us who have faith in Jesus benefit from the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The Lord has commissioned us as His ambassadors to preach the gospel but we shrink back with various excuses. We fear persecution and criticism. We lack the courage, wisdom, speaking ability or talent to do so. But these are no excuses because it is obvious to us and God that we do lack such abilities. This is why He gives us His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will enable each believer to do that which he or she cannot. He will provide each of us with the words and wisdom we need at the appropriate time. He will use us to speak of Jesus and His love. He will use us to strength to witness for the Name of Jesus. He will use us to bring God glory by leading others to Him and living lives of righteousness, love and compassion.