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It is interesting to note that when Jesus speaks in John 14 v 16 of "another Counsellor" in reference to the Holy Spirit, he uses the word 'another' in the sense of 'one who is exactly like' (and not in the sense of one of a different kind). Therefore the Holy Spirit is exactly like Jesus. The word translated Counsellor is Paraclete and means advocate, and so the Holy Spirit comes along side us to advocate or plead the cause of Jesus. This is made clear in John 16 v 14, "He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you". Glory means splendour, and glory is brought by the revelation or the making clear the nature, character and qualities of Jesus which are worthy of praise and honour. The Holy Spirit helps us to see Jesus, to know the very nature of his being, and to understand his life and all that he said and did.

We need to experience this. We need to know all about Jesus, and how important he is to us individually. We must feel that we know him better than we know our closest relation or best friend. The Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of Truth, can share this knowledge and bring us into this relationship. As the Holy Spirit is willing to teach, so we must be willing to be taught. We have to be open to listen, to learn, to accept and to believe. Our prayers need to be directed to this end, that we might be helped to have this openness. For this there has to be the removal of all barriers and obstacles which make understanding, acceptance and belief difficult for us.

There are two ways in which this relationship can be established, the relationship that will bring us on to the right road. One is short and direct, but requires a great deal of trust. The other is long and takes time because it is a gradual, step by step growing into realisation, and requires many small steps of faith. However if we are led to Jesus, the result is the same, so neither route should be scorned. An Old Testament story suggests which is the better way.

Bible Study. Read Numbers Chapters 13 and 14.

Know the background and read the story carefully. Do you see the relevance? The story of the Exodus is the story of the journey of a nation, the Israelites, from captivity in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land. In the story we can see the symbolism of our individual life's journey. Each of us, like Israel, has been or is captive, and each of us has the opportunity to find freedom.

Less than a year after leaving Egypt and crossing the Red Sea, the Israelites were approaching Canaan, their intended destination. Spies were sent out to reconnoitre the land, and came back with mixed recommendations. It was God's intention to lead them into the land and secure it for them. However the Israelites, believing the majority of the spies that this was too difficult, refused to proceed, and even expressed the wish to return to Egypt. Their lack of faith brought God's condemnation. The Israelites were to remain in the desert for a further forty years, until all but two of those aged over twenty had died. The two who reached Canaan were the two spies who had recommended the immediate advance.

The disobedience and rebellion of the Israelites may seem (after the way God had already demonstrated his miraculous power among them) very strange indeed. They had witnessed the plagues in Egypt which eventually secured their release. They had been brought miraculously across the Red Sea to escape the pursuing enemy. Then there was the miraculous provision of pure water and food (manna and quail), and the defeat of the Amalekites. They even had the symbol of God's presence constantly with them in the pillar of cloud and fire. Why were they so reluctant to believe, and why were they so rebellious? In view of all this evidence, where was their faith? Perhaps we need to look at ourselves, and ask if we are like them in our attitude to God.

At this stage it might be a good idea to ask ourselves again how real God is to us. There are two questions we can put to ourselves.