I’m really not trying to be funny with that title.  Any lawyers out there?Read on… as it’s get better for you!  The Apostle John tells us in his first letter that Jesus Christ is our ‘advocate’ with the Father.  He speaks in and on our behalf.  He speaks up for us, because we just can’t do it on our own.  We don’t know what to say.  We have no standing with God on our own.  We need a good lawyer.  An advocate who knows the legal lingo and language, who has the knowledge of and experience with the law, and who can persuasively present ourselves  and our case  before the apppointed authorities.  Again, he speaks up for us because we just can’t do it on our own.  Hey, that’s Jesus,  the Apostle John tells…our advocate!  The Apostle Paul says that Jesus is also our ‘mediator’ (1 Timothy 2:5)–one who comes in between disagreeing parties and brings a peaceful resolution.  And in Romans 8: 34 Paul says that ‘Christ Jesus…indeed is interceding for us’.  Interceding…taking the active role, lifting us up when we’ve either fallen or been knocked down.  Talking about our High Priest Jesus Christ, the author of Hebrews  says ‘…He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them’ (8:25).  Advocate…mediator…intercessor–Jesus lives and loves to be all those wrapped up in one big  gift of grace and mercy…all  for you and me!  Many years ago now, I was sued by a neighbor.  We were nice to this elderly neighbor couple.  But an previous to us  unresolved property-line issue bubbled to the surface, and we were the objects of just the longest lawsuit imaginable.  Praise the Lord, our property-casualty policy on our home paid all our legal and related bills. All of them.  Not so for this litigious neighbor–thousands and thousands of dollars over a 7 year period.  This was the longest dispute our insurance company had ever seen.  We’re number one!  A dubious distinction indeed!  Those years were scary, frustrating, endless, and seemed like a colossal waste of time and someone else’s money.  But I learned some things that helped me.  I got tougher as time went by.  Fear was overridden by a fierceness to see that what’s right and just  should be done.  Don’t give in to a bully, not matter what their age.  Our lawyer was very helpful.  But interact with your lawyer…ask questions, check out what’s not clear andis somewhat  fuzzy to you.    Don’t be afraid to sound  ‘stupid’…say whatever is on your mind and heart.  But not to the opponent. Interact with your attorney.  Don’t take anything in your own hands.  Stay clean.  Do nothing out of revenge.  You’ll have a clear conscience and no regrets when  the case is over and it will be over…someday. And someday came for us.  It was over and our neighbors got absolutely nothing that they had demanded. Nothing!   I imagine it doesn’t always work out that way, but it did for us in this case.  And what did I learn about the Lord ‘through it all’?  Talk with Him lots and lots.  Tell Him all that you’re feeling.  Don’t hold back.  Stay close to your Lord who loves you so much.  As it says in Hebrews 4:16–‘come boldly before the throne of grace…to help in time of need’.   Boldness, confidence and courage to come before Him with all our fretting and worrying , real or imagined.  Jesus is our advocate, our mediator, our intercessor forever.  Anyone know a good lawyer?  I do!  And He doesn’t even charge by those billable  hours!