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And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.
John 14:16
“I’m calling to let you know you’re being sued for $300,000,” the insurance agent said.
Jan felt her chest tighten. While running errands a few months earlier, she had gently bumped the car in front of her at a stoplight.
Jan and the other driver inspected both vehicles. The other driver assured her there wasn’t any damage and all was fine.
Now the driver and his passenger were reporting injuries and producing photos of a mangled bumper.
“What do I do now?” Jan asked.
“You don’t do anything,” the agent replied. “We’ll take care of everything.”
And they did. Jan discovered she had an advocate in her insurance agency that she didn’t even know.
An advocate is a person who comes to our aid or pleads our case to a judge. Advocates offer support, strength, counsel, and intercede for us when necessary.
The Bible says that Jesus is an advocate for those who’ve put their trust in him: “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous’’ (1 John 2:1).
In other verses, Jesus calls the Holy Spirit our advocate (John 14:16 and 26). The English word advocate has been translated from the Greek word parakleton, which means “helper, adviser, or counselor.”
Jan’s encounter with the insurance company reminded her of her relationship with God. She began reflecting on how God had been her advocate throughout her life—even when she was unaware.
She flashed back to childhood. Soon after her father died, financial stress gripped the family. On a three-day road trip home from seeing extended family, Jan’s mother confessed they barely had enough money for gas.
No food. No motel. Nothing.
Jan wondered how long they would sleep in their car and go without food. She rifled through her jacket pockets and felt a piece of paper. She discovered a $10 bill. She held it up for everyone to see.
Five times she put her hand in her pocket and pulled out a $10 bill.
Where did the money come from? She remembered that when her uncle hugged her goodbye from the visit, he had tucked something into her pocket. God had used an unexpected advocate to provide for her family at a crucial time.
These stories of the seemingly miraculous provision lined her childhood.
Jan and her family were provided for when there seemed to be little hope and no way out. They had an unexpected advocate and provision from God when they needed it most.
Decades later, Jan experienced a similar unexpected provision when the insurance agency took care of the lawsuit. Jan knew that, ultimately, God was the one who advocated for her.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”5%” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” id=”recipe” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/6″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”padding-5-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color=”rgba(203,141,143,0.1)” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”15px” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”2/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none”][vc_column_text]
Ask
When have you had someone advocate for you—perhaps a teacher, coach, family member, or friend?
Pray
God, you are the greatest advocate we could ask for. Please remind me to turn to you in times like Jan’s when the only answer can be you.
Sow
Encourage someone this week who you know needs God to intercede in their life as only he can. Gently love them with the truth that God wants to help them.
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