The Helper Engine

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever; the Helper is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him; but you know Him because He remains with you and will be in you. “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. . . . “. . . But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you.” —John 14:15–18, 26, NASB

Mommy, why has our train stopped at this desolate station?” little Dhruva asked. “They are waiting for the ‘banker,’ a helper engine that will attach to the back of our train to push it from behind and help the main engine pull the train up the hill,” Mom replied. “It will help our engine! Will we need it when we come downhill?” Dhruva inquired.

“When going downhill, they move the helper engine to the front of the main engine to help it brake. These engines are known as ‘brakers,’ ” Mom answered.

We all experience ups and downs in life, and when we do, isn’t it wonderful to know that God will send us a “banker” to lift us up and a “braker” to prevent us from falling? When we are in pain and feel discouraged, desperate, or overwhelmed when we face opposition and find ourselves deep in despair, God will rescue us. He says, “Stand on your feet” (Ezekiel 2:1, NASB), but He does not expect us to do it alone. God will make it possible for us to stand by sending help. “The Spirit . . . set me on my feet” (verse 2, NASB). The Holy Spirit is our helper engine, and He will lift us up. Likewise, when we sin and stumble in our faith, the Holy Spirit will guide us. He will teach us what to do. (See John 16.) And when we do not know what to pray for, the Holy Spirit intercedes for God’s people “in harmony with God’s own will” (Romans 8:27, NLT). So, my friends, be strong and courageous, for our God will never leave nor forsake us (see Deuteronomy 31:8, NIV). The God who says, “I have written your name on the palms of my hands” (Isaiah 49:16, NLT), holds us in the palm of His hand and will bring us safely to our destination.

Suhana Chikatla