One thing God seems to be trying to teach me this past summer is about the importance of timing in the prophetic. As a musician, I know how important timing is, especially since I’m a drummer.

My latest lesson in timing is found below.

Recently on a Sunday morning during the worship time (I was not playing drums), I got a word to encourage the body. After each song I asked, “Now Lord?” and each time I got a fast reply, “No”.

The great worship time was done. The lead elder began to preach on Saul’s path, leading to an encounter with God’s Spirit and subsequent conversion to Christianity.

A great word and it went hand and glove with my prophetic word. As soon as the pastor (elder) was finished I asked again “Now Lord?” “Now” was his answer!

So I bookended my word to encourage people on this path that His Spirit would meet each of us. Then the last worship song tied the whole service together as only God the Great Conductor can.

When we wait on the conductor, it’s amazing how the whole body can sound so great, including even me!

I’m going to give that word in story form, like a parable, because that’s how I got it, and it makes better sense.

I saw a man on a trip in a foreign land, where he did not understand the customs or language of the people. Finding himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, he gets arrested in a police round-up.

Unable to communicate, shocked, scared and confused he is taken to jail with a group of others and shoved into a cell. Helpless and confused, his pleading goes unanswered.

As he begins a long, sleepless night, this poor man is completely out of his depth with no one to help him.

Early the next morning he is taken to court. The stern looking judge sits above. In front of him the guard prods the haggard looking man towards the bench with his baton.

The man stands alone, dazed and on the verge of passing out. No one seems to be on his side. No one stands with him.

All of a sudden the courtroom door bursts open. A smiling, well dressed man in a neat, dark suit walks past the guards and exchanges greetings with the Judge.

After a short, heated discussion with the prosecutor, the man turns to the maligned man and in perfect English says to him, while supporting his shoulder:

“The embassy heard you had a bit of trouble. I’m your lawyer, and I’m here to stand with you and walk with you through your trouble.”

The man almost breaks down as he hugs this providential life line. He is the most relieved person in the city.

He now has an advocate at his side to walk him through his legal dilemma.

Sharing this word, after the message and before the last song was impactful.

That is why the Holy Spirit said, “Wait. Wait. Now Wayne!“

Just keep an eye on the conductor you will be fine.

After sharing the above story, I later read John 14:16-18 AMP.

¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever— ¹⁷ the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you.

¹⁸ “I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, bereaved, and helpless]; I will come [back] to you.

Jesus was leaving us, but not as orphans. The Holy Spirit would be our Helper and stand beside us ‘in the Dock’.

In verse 16, the word ‘helper or comforter’ is the Greek word ‘Paraclete’ – (an intercessor, consoler, advocate or comforter).

In Vines study on New Testament words, the word, as a noun, is ‘Parakletos’ meaning ‘called to one’s side ie to one’s aid’.

It was also used in a court of justice to denote a counsel for the defense, an advocate.

As in my story, God’s Spirit is not there in our day of mayhem to act as our judge or as jailor, but as our helper.

We can’t always avoid problems, but God will stand beside us to get us through our difficulties.

My last words on the matter “where is my lawyer.“