THE COMFORTER IS HERE!

 

 

 

THE COMFORTER IS HERE!

As the storms have raged in our land, leaving many homeless and in dire situations, I think of so many who just need some comfort or maybe just a hug.  I so feel for those who are lost and alone and not knowing where to turn in times like these.  And there are others alone in nursing homes, foster homes, care centers, who just need a little comfort.  I walk among them touching a hand, giving a kiss, and telling them that Jesus loves them.  “The Comforter Has Come.”

We live in troubled times, the storms rage, the earth shakes and men’s hearts fail them for fear of the things that are coming on our world.  All we have to do is read the news and hear of wars, of violence, of trouble everywhere.  And I am here to tell you that “The Comforter Has Come.”

And there are many sick among us.  As I shared with someone today regarding one from our congregation who has suffered endlessly, and is facing more surgery tomorrow, and another in a foster home who continues to grow weaker and weaker, and others who are failing with health concerns.  I see a dear precious lady in the nursing home whose suffering seems never to end, but she has been a witness there, leading many to Christ from her bed.  But she knows that “The Comforter Has Come,” and He is here for all who are suffering and in great pain.

Then there are those who have lost loved ones recently.  Many in this storm have lost loved ones, and they need comfort and someone to cry with them and share Jesus with them, and cry with them when they cry.  I recently conducted a funeral for a dear precious elderly man.  I saw the tears of the family, and was able to tell them of the hope and comfort that Jesus brings. 

Jesus promised before He left this earth to send us a comforter in the promise of the Holy Spirit, He is our comforter in these times of great sorrow and grief, and I am here to tell you of the peace that He brings.  The world cannot bring that comfort.  Oh, there are wonderful people who will share sorrow with those who are suffering, but there is only One who can ease away the suffering and bring peace to a troubled soul.  And He has come, “The Comforter Has Come.”

 THE COMFORTER HAS COME

O spread the tidings ‘round, wherever man is found, wherever human hearts and human woes abound; let ev’ry Christian tongue proclaim the joyful sound: The Comforter has come!

CHORUS:  The Comforter has come, the Comforter has come! The Holy Ghost from Heav’n, the Father’s promise giv’n; O spread the tidings ‘round, wherever man is found the Comforter has come!

The long, long night is past, the morning breaks at last, and hushed the dreadful wail and fury of the blast, as oer the golden hills the day advances fast! The Comforter has come!

Lo, the great King of kings, with healing in His wings, to every captive soul a full deliv’rance brings; and thro’ the vacant cells the song of triumph rings; the Comforter has come!

O boundless love divine! How shall this tongue of tine to wond’ring morals tell the matchless grace divine that I, a child of hell, should in His image shine!  The Comforter has come!    By  (Frank Bottome)

“These things I have spoken to you while being present with you.  “But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said unto you. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you, let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”  John 14:25-27.

Jesus was sharing with the disciples, just before He was arrested in the garden, and crucified on the cross.  And their hearts were troubled by the things He was sharing with them.  They were facing troubling times in their lives, a night of sorrow and grief as their Lord was taken away from them and crucified.  And they in their sorrow, left their Lord, and hid in frightened terror.

But Jesus promised them and us, the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, who would be sent to them, to bring them peace.  Oh, the world will try and bring peace to troubled hearts, but only He can bring peace, as He is the “Prince of Peace.”  So He says, don’t be troubled or afraid, I am with you in the presence of the Holy Spirit, “The Comforter.”

So He calls each one of us as Christians to share comfort to those who are suffering and going through great trials.  It is such a blessing to watch peace come upon a person laying there in a bed, as I just touch a forehead and speak the name of Jesus!  And the song calls us to proclaim the joyful sound!  And truly the work of the Holy Spirit brings joy into the lives He touches.  He brings joy and hope at last.  The world cannot bring the hope that the Holy Spirit, the Comforter brings.

And someday the long night of suffering will be past, and the morning will break at last, and the roar of the storm will cease, the waves of sorrow and pain will no longer wash over us.  And just over the hills, we will see the golden sunshine of our heavenly home.  And as I watched a gorgeous sunset last evening, I was reminded again and the glory just awaiting His children just beyond the sunset, when the day is over.  And I truly believe that the day is approaching quickly, and the Comforter reminds us to be ready for that call whenever it will come.  For some it may be soon, for others we may have other valleys to cross and mountains to cross before we see the light of the city dawning over the hills.

“But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings.  And you will go free, leaping with joy , like calves let out to pasture”  Malachi 2:2. (NLT).

God is speaking to His children here, to those who fear His name, He promises that Jesus, called “The Sun of Righteousness,” will arise and bring healing in His wings to all who suffer, deliverance will come and peace and joy.  And as we enter our heavenly home there will be no more pain, suffering or tears.  And Jesus walked this earth and touched and healed those who were suffering, and He still heals today!

And how can one explain God’s salvation in sending His Son to die for our sins, the wonderful grace and mercy of our Precious Lord.  There is no way to describe the peace and joy that salvation brings.  And that hope and salvation is here because “The Comforter Has Come.”  Praise the Lord!

In His Name,

Pastor Sharon