You Have A Means To Rely On

A few years ago, a man embarked on a long hike through a dense forest. About halfway in, the trail became harder to follow, and he soon realized he was lost. He pulled out his phone, but there was no signal. As panic began to set in with the fading daylight, he remembered that a park ranger had given him a map and a compass before he left. The issue wasn’t that he lacked direction; it was that he hadn’t been using the tools he had been given.
So, he paused, took a deep breath, pulled out the compass, aligned it with the map, and started to follow it step by step. Hours later, he safely found his way out—not because the forest had changed, but because he finally chose to trust the resources already in his hands.

This scenario reflects how many of us live spiritually. We often feel overwhelmed, uncertain, and even panicked, but God has already provided what we need. His Word, His Spirit, and His promises are not distant resources; they are readily available to help us. The real question is not whether God has given us a way forward, but whether we are relying on the means He has already provided.

After the resurrection, Jesus was preparing His disciples to depend on the divine resources He promised, primarily His Word and His Presence. This is highlighted in the earlier teachings on the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:16-20. Now, He reminds them of another important resource and promise: the Holy Spirit.

In the final installment of the Great Commission, on the day of His ascension, Jesus says in
Acts 1:8, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The promise of the Holy Spirit brings miraculous empowerment intended for sharing and showing the Gospel, rather than for personal gain or prideful purposes. Consequently, Jesus indicated that the Gospel message would spread remarkably, extending from local to regional, national, and ultimately global impact.

When living out your faith, even amidst adversity, you can rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. You never regret relying on the means God promises and provides!