Never Alone / 不再孤单
Dexu Xia
Never Alone
He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.John 14:16–17
While writing a Bible guide for pastors in Indonesia, a writer friend grew fascinated with that nation’s culture of togetherness. Called gotong royong—meaning “mutual assistance”—the concept is practiced in villages, where neighbors may work together to repair someone’s roof or rebuild a bridge or path. In cities too my friend said, “People always go places with someone else—to a doctor’s appointment, for example. It’s the cultural norm. So you’re never alone.”
Worldwide, believers in Jesus rejoice in knowing we also are never alone. Our constant and forever companion is the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. Far more than a loyal friend, the Spirit of God is given to every follower of Christ by our heavenly Father to “help you and be with you forever” (John 14:16).
Jesus promised God’s Spirit would come after His own time on Earth ended. “I will not leave you as orphans,” Jesus said (v. 18). Instead, the Holy Spirit—“the Spirit of Truth” who “lives with you and will be in you”—indwells each of us who receives Christ as Savior (v. 17).
The Holy Spirit is our Helper, Comforter, Encourager, and Counselor—a constant companion in a world where loneliness can afflict even connected people. May we forever abide in His comforting love and help. By Patricia Raybon
Reflect & Pray
As a believer in Christ, how does it encourage you to know that the Holy Spirit lives inside of you? How have you neglected God’s comfort?
Jesus promised we will always have companionship with the Holy Spirit, who never leaves us.
不再孤单
父就另外赐给你们一位保惠师，叫祂永远与你们同在，就是真理的圣灵。-约翰福音14章16-17节
一位作家朋友为印尼的传道人撰写圣经指南时，对于这个国家的团结文化深感兴趣。每个印尼人都有一种“互相合作”（gotong royong）的概念。在乡村里，村民们会一起修补屋顶或重建桥梁、小路。我的朋友说：“就连在城市里，人们也会结伴而行，例如让人陪着去看医生。这是一种文化规范，所以你永远不会孤单。”
在世界各地，我们这些相信耶稣的人也能为自己绝不孤单而欢欣快乐，因天父所赐的圣灵永远是我们的良伴。这三一真神中的圣灵不仅是我们忠诚的朋友，还帮助我们，并永远与我们同在（约翰福音14章16节）。
耶稣应许在祂离世后，圣灵就会降临，祂说：“我不撇下你们为孤儿”（18节）。圣灵或“真理的圣灵”会住在每个接受基督为救主的人心里，祂要“常与你们同在，也要在你们里面”（17节）。
圣灵是我们的帮助者、安慰者、鼓励者和导师。在这世界里，甚至交游广阔的人也会感到孤独，但圣灵是我们永远的良伴，盼望我们能永远不离开祂的慈爱和帮助。
身为基督徒，知道圣灵内住如何使你得激励？
你在哪方面可能会忽视上帝的安慰和帮助呢？