Lenten Series: In Need of The Helper
Lent is a liturgical observance and season of reflection; not a biblical mandate. It is simply a time to remind ourselves and appreciate the abundant grace of Christ’s saving work on the cross. It is a time to press in deeper in submission to Christ’s authority as we prepare our hearts to celebrate, with exceedingly great joy, the resurrection that awaits every believer and follower.
In our Lenten daily devotionals, we will focus on our spiritual needs and desires and how the Helper is our Gift for strength and success if we will bow in greater submission to the authority of our King and the terms of His Kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit.
Reflection: He Protects Us
Digging for Truth: When Jesus walked this earth, and just prior to His death, He promised to send the “Advocate” (the Holy Spirit) as His representative once He was no longer physically walking the earth and was resurrected to the eternal realm and seated at the right hand of the Father. He said to the disciples (and to you and me), “‘I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.’” (John14:27) Jesus provides all of His believers with the same gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. This gift is the One Who offers you and me protection as believers in Christ Jesus.
Grace for the Heart: Jesus came as the Son and it was necessary for Him to be made just like you and me, so that through the choice of our salvation His sacrifice would not only take away our sins but would ignite the Holy Spirit within us as believers (Hebrews 2:16-17). The grace that Jesus gives us allows our hearts to be filled with unwavering faith and only in this place can we put our full trust in the Holy Spirit to guide our decisions while protecting us from physical and spiritual danger.
Proverbs 1:33 (NLT)
33 But all who listen to me will live in peace,
untroubled by fear of harm.”
Psalm 68:20 (NLT)
20 Our God is a God who saves!
The Sovereign Lord rescues us from death.
Challenge: Friends, you and I have a choice, each and every second of every day, to live in the Shalom, the wholeness and pure peace that only Jesus offers. Jesus, Himself, went through suffering and testing. He broke the powers of Satan, He overcame death, and He rescues us (all of the time) when we are being tested by the darkness (Satan, himself) of this world (Hebrews 2:17-18). Press into Jesus, right now, throughout today, and later tonight. Heck, don’t EVER stop pressing in and allowing His peace to fill you, to surround you, call on the Holy Spirit to hedge protection over you and your family, over God’s Family. Ask God to save those who have never heard of Jesus, to reignite His Spirit within those who have lost their way, to make a way for all of them to know Him, and to allow Him into their hearts so they can experience His eternal love.
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for saving us. Thank You for Your peace. Help us to be containers of Your peace and to bring it out, as a beacon of Your eternal light, into this really dark and hurting world. Holy Spirit, thank You for your protection. Please continue to hedge protection around each one of us as You guide us into places that need Jesus. Fill us with Your strength and cast away any earthly fears that we have as You call us to be the loving vessels of Christ Jesus. I ask all of this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.