Evening, October 12
Go To Morning Reading
“The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost.”
John 14:26
This age is peculiarly the dispensation of the Holy Spirit, in which
Jesus cheers us, not by his personal presence, as he shall do by-and-by,
but by the indwelling and constant abiding of the Holy Ghost, who
is evermore the Comforter of the church. It is his office to console
the hearts of God’s people. He convinces of sin; he illuminates and instructs; but still
the main part of his work lies in making glad the hearts of the renewed,
in confirming the weak, and lifting up all those that be bowed down.
He does this by revealing Jesus to them. The Holy Spirit consoles,
but Christ is the consolation . If we may use the figure, the Holy Spirit is the Physician, but
Jesus is the medicine. He heals the wound, but it is by applying the holy ointment of Christ’s name and grace. He takes not of his own things, but of the things
of Christ. So if we give to the Holy Spirit the Greek name of Paraclete , as we sometimes do, then our heart confers on our blessed Lord Jesus
the title of Paraclesis . If the one be the Comforter, the other is the Comfort. Now, with
such rich provision for his need, why should the Christian be sad
and desponding? The Holy Spirit has graciously engaged to be thy Comforter:
dost thou imagine, O thou weak and trembling believer, that he will
be negligent of his sacred trust? Canst thou suppose that he has undertaken
what he cannot or will not perform? If it be his especial work to
strengthen thee, and to comfort thee, dost thou suppose he has forgotten
his business, or that he will fail in the loving office which he sustains
towards thee? Nay, think not so hardly of the tender and blessed Spirit
whose name is “the Comforter.” He delights to give the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment
of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Trust thou in him, and he will
surely comfort thee till the house of mourning is closed forever,
and the marriage feast has begun.