Jesus said, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth.”   John 14:16-17

I hate to admit that on some days my thoughts and actions are so un-Christian that I wish I could somehow get away from myself. I’m impatient with others, discontent with my lot, complaining, and in short, just not much fun to be with. I recently had one of those days when I think, How does the Holy Spirit put up with me?  God knows me perfectly — my every flaw, every sin, every thought, and worst of all, every motive. No one else knows me that completely.

The psalmist recognized our flawed nature and God’s response in writing kind Psalm 103:13-14 which says, “As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him. For he knows how we were made; he remembers that we are dust”.  I’m thankful that within me lives One who knows the depth of my rebellion and still never lets me go. I can be sure of that because Jesus asked the Father to give me — and you — the Holy Spirit forever. And whatever our Lord requests, God is certain to give.

Father, you have told us that when we confess our sins, you are faithful and just to forgive us. (See 1 John 1:9) Help us to believe that even though others may turn from us, you never will. Amen.