The Trip
“18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” John 14:18 KJV
I will never forget a weekend trip my family took. We stayed at a very nice hotel. This particular hotel had a great atmosphere; it was such a neat place. Then, (Dun, Dun, Duuun) it was time for bed. The beds were so hard we might as well have been sleeping on a concrete floor. There was no comfort to be found! Needless to say, we did not sleep; my entire body hurt. We were miserable all night. Furthermore, don’t you know this set the tone for us all to have a great day the next day – exhausted and hurting! Fantastic!! You might think if you are staying at an expensive hotel they could afford comfortable beds – right? Well, not this one!
Then, the following day came our dreaded second night! In fact, we actually
Returning Home
There is just nothing like curling up in your own bed! The comfort and relief your own bed provides is unrivaled. When you are exhausted after a long, hard, busy day – this is where you want to be. When you are physically sick or injured – this is where you want to be. This is where you go to find rest, healing, and restoration. Also, when you are emotionally injured – this is where you want to be. You don’t want to be in just any bed; you want to be in YOUR bed! No other bed can compare. For instance, other beds do not provide the same comfort, rest, and healing as your own. They just don’t!
The Bible Says
“15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” John 14:15-18 KJV
God will give us a Comforter that will live with us forever; He will not leave us comfortless. I was intrigued and wanted to know more. When I began researching this verse, I found that two different words are used in the Bible for the word comforter. First, is a Hebrew word which means to actually comfort or console. It is used as a verb, the act of comforting. However, this is not the one used here in this verse. The word for comforter used in this verse is Greek and means counselor, helper, one who encourages and comforts. This word uses comforter as a noun; the Holy Spirit IS a comforter. So, as I continued my research, I found something interesting.
Jesus Teaches
There are only four times in the Bible where comforter, from the Greek word meaning one who encourages and comforts, is used. Every instance was in the book of John. In fact, every instance also happened to be the words of Jesus. Each time, comforter was actually part of a conversation that Jesus was having with His disciples when He was teaching and preparing them for what was to come after His death, resurrection, and ascension. So, lets look at the other 3 verses.
“26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, … 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:26-27 KJV
“26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:” John 15:26 KJV
“7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” John 16:7 KJV
Wrapped In Comfort
In all four verses Jesus is telling His disciples that the Holy Spirit is the comforter (one who encourages and comforts). John 14:15-18 refers to the fact that only those individuals that know Jesus and have asked Him into their heart will receive the Holy Spirit which will live inside them – comforting them. Now, this is what God whispered to my heart and how I wove all this together.
The moment you ask Jesus into your heart, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside you. This is your comforter; He is your heart’s “bed” with all your favorite blankets and pillows. Once this happens, God and the Holy Spirit immediately wrap you and your heart in love, help, and comfort. This is where your heart gets rest, healing, and restoration. This is one of the many jobs of the Holy Spirit; to comfort and minister to your heart when life is tough, while you are Brewing. So, when your heart needs to curl up in your very own bed, cover yourself with God’s promises! If you know Jesus, the comforter is there with you and will live in you forever. You are wrapped in promises and love; you will not be left comfortless. Thank You Jesus!
Please join me over the next few weeks as we embark on a series which explores more about the different job’s of the Holy Spirit and what it means for you.
Let’s Brew Wrapped in Comfort and Love!
What did God whisper to your heart about the comforter? Comment below!!
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