Divine Counsel (Isaiah 30:21)

Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left. - Isaiah 30:21

In John 14, Jesus makes a glorious promise to His disciples: that after He leaves, He will send to them the Paraclete.

From the Greek word Paraklétos, Paraclete refers literally to a legal advocate. In English translations of the New Testament the word is usually rendered helper, comforter or advocate.

Jesus uses this term to describe the Holy Spirit, whom He promised would come to believers after He Himself left the earth.

The Holy Spirit does many things for us. He gives us comfort, peace, joy, courage, and life itself.

But one of the most key functions of the Holy Spirit is guidance.

Just as a legal advocate who is an expert in the law will provide guidance and good counsel to a client, the Holy Spirit promises to direct us in the way we should go.

However, unlike a human counselor whose face we can see and voice we can hear, our heavenly Counselor communicates to us in a more subtle manner.

As we study scripture, spend time in prayer, meditate on God's promises, and obey what has already been revealed to us, we will continue to gain access to more and more of this divine guidance.

Jesus tells us that His sheep hear His voice. We must not be rash and overly emotional in our decision making, but we must also be ready to obey what we believe God is saying, even when it may not make sense on the surface.

We must not worry about trying to figure out step 10 when we have not even taken step 1 yet. As we continue taking one step at a time toward the Kingdom of God, the path will become clearer and clearer.

The best way to prepare for tomorrow is to conquer today. With God's help, we can do this each day.

The Helper, the Holy Spirit,

whom the Father will send in my name,

he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance

all that I have said to you

John 14:26