- David Moyes
- May 4
- 3 min read
Hello and welcome to Van Life Devotions. We are continuing our series looking at reasons why be a follower of Jesus. When Jesus was sharing His last meal with His disciples and knowing that in 40 days time He will leave them, He said, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:18 NIV). For the past three years Jesus had been like a parent to His disciples, guiding them, helping them, praying for them, teaching them but soon He will be gone. However, He says something that is startling. He promises to “come to them” but not in His physical being. In the same conversation, Jesus says, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit” (John 14:16-17 NLT).
Jesus promised that followers will be given God’s Holy Spirit. This is one of the beautiful reasons to be a follower of Jesus – to be filled with the Holy Spirit and over the next few Van Life devotions, we will be sharing about the roles of the Holy Spirit which further explains that God is good and help His followers.
The Bible describes the Holy Spirit as the invisible personal presence of God. As there is God the Father and God the Son (who is Jesus), there is also God the Holy Spirit. While all three are one and the same, all three have different roles.
One of the roles of the Holy Spirit is to be present with followers of Jesus. According to Jesus, believers would not be left alone, likening their situation to orphans who may feel abandoned and unsupported in the absence of loving parents.
Jesus describes the Holy Spirit as an Advocate. The word (parakletos) is difficult to translate properly because it has a range of meanings in the original language. Various English translations translate it as Comforter, Advocate, Counsellor, and Helper.
But I have a true story that I believe illustrates this function of the Holy Spirit. In the late 2000s, a man named Peter, a retired teacher, volunteered at an orphanage in rural Queensland. The children there had faced severe neglect and abuse, and many were emotionally withdrawn, having learned to distrust adults. Peter knew that just providing basic care wasn’t enough; what they needed most was emotional support and stability.
Rather than taking a traditional teaching approach, Peter spent his time simply being with the children in a non-pressuring way. He would sit with them during mealtimes, playing cards or telling quiet stories, but without pushing anyone to participate. If a child sat quietly and didn’t want to engage, he respected that space, just letting them know he was there.
One girl, Emma, who had been particularly distant, eventually began sitting near Peter without speaking. Over time, she started drawing pictures and would silently show them to him. Though the drawings didn’t contain words, Peter understood they were her way of communicating. Eventually, she spoke her first full sentence to him: “Will you sit with me again tomorrow?”
Peter later shared that sometimes all they need is to know they can sit beside you without having to say a word. It’s a quiet message that they’re not alone.
“Will you sit with me” is the very essence of the Holy Spirit as Advocate. Our guide. Our companion. The one to whom we can say, “Will you sit with me.”
To me advocate means—the one who comes alongside you. Doesn’t abandon you. Will not leave you orphaned. Will be present as the presence of God.
Why be a follower of Jesus? To have the presence of God alongside of you, forever.
How can you have the presence of God alongside of you? Trust and obey. Trust in faith that Jesus is God’s Son who saved you on the cross. And follow Jesus as Lord by obeying His teachings. The Bible promises, “And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38 NIV).
I invite you to pray this prayer with me:
Father God.
I am sorry that I am a sinner.
Thank you for forgiving me.
Please come alongside of me
with the presence of Your Holy Spirit.
Enable me to put my trust in You and
to obey Your teachings.
In Jesus’ name
Amen
David Moyes
