In the Presbyterian church, we don't often think about the work of the Holy Spirit. We're so focused on Christ and his mission and ministry, and studying the work of God in creation, that we omit discussion of the Holy Spirit. Frederick Bruner, a Biblical scholar whom I have much admiration for, wrote a book calling the Holy Spirit the shy member of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit's job is to point us to Christ and to assure us of our salvation, our inheritance, so that we don't become discouraged. It isn't easy to maintain a constant hope in Christ -- there are roadblocks along the way. Isn't it good news to know that God realizes this and has, as part of God's identity, an aspect reaching out to us to lift our eyes back to the hills, from whence our help comes? Such is God's love for you that God has structured salvation in such a way so that you don't become overwhelmed by cares of the world, but rather that you might have moments of hope in the midst of challenges. This doesn't mean there won't be challenges, but we are invited to be still, to let the Holy Spirit minister to us, to pray for us with sighs too deep for words, as Scripture says, and to remind us of our sealing in Christ.
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