09/07/2014 - OUR COMFORTER

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I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid of a man who will die, and of the son of a man who will be made like grass?  Isaiah 51.12

To be comforted is also to be delivered from all pain. But it is not only that. Comforting goes beyond what we imagine. The healing of our diseases and the solution to all our problems, as well as the forgiveness of our sins and the power for us to no longer be enslaved by the enemy are blessings that the Comforter gives us. There is no reason why we should live in affliction, since Jesus’ work on the cross is for all those who fear the Most High.

Isaiah said that the Lord is the one who comforts us. But could it be that God is failing in what he does? Of course not! Then why aren’t there more people being comforted? The same thing happened in Jesus’ days. He was sent with power to resolve the problems of his people, but Israel chose religion instead. In Nazareth, the Master did not do many mighty works because of their unbelief (Matthew 13.57,58).

However, those who believed in Jesus saw God’s glory work miracles. And the same thing can happen today. But only those who believe will see God’s glory working in our midst. It is not enough to want, ask or seek; we have to do the only thing that makes God move into action: believe. For those who meet this condition, the Holy Spirit will fulfill his mission.

There is no need for us to be afraid of a man who will die, because we belong to the body of Christ. If you are under the devil’s attack, if he is charging at you like sea waves during a storm, the Spirit of God will raise his flag and enter into battle to protect you and give you the victory. All those who are saved have the right to be comforted, but it is necessary that they follow the steps outlined in the Scriptures.

Before raising into heaven, Jesus said to his disciples, who were sad at the news that the Savior would return to his Father’s house, that it would be to their advantage that he went away, so that he would send the Holy Spirit, the Comforter (John 16.7). God’s people would not be comforted only by the person of Jesus, whose comforting, as he came into the world as human, was limited to his physical presence.

The work of the Holy Spirit as the Comforter not only consoles us but also gives us the power to console other people who are going through problems that are similar to those we overcame. It is necessary that all those who have been delivered by the Lord go out to deliver people who are being afflicted by similar maladies. When you are comforted, you receive authority to comfort those who are suffering.

Do not act irresponsibly by not believing in what God says, because he has made us comforters to those who are suffering the same afflictions that once afflicted us. You are an agent of God to do the same things he has done for you.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares