“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ” (2Cor 1:2-5)

Question:                What is your only comfort in life and death?

Answer: That I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with His precious blood, and has set me free from all the power of the devil.  He also preserves me in such a way that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, all things must work together for my salvation. Therefore, by His Holy Spirit He also assures me of eternal life and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for Him.

We had a difficult week. A sister in Christ, member of our church, soloist in the choir, wife and mother of three small children, was shot and killed by armed robbers. In the middle of the pain, we have to go back to the Word of God, for comfort; for there is no other comfort outside Christ. The question and the answer above are taken from the Heidelberg Catechism. This is the stand of all Christians. We need Comfort always! Life is hard. We all need supernatural comfort. Not only when we are old, sick, mourning or in trouble. We need God’s comfort always, every moment, even when we are well, young and happy. Comfort is a spiritual word. It means to live in a state of freedom from anxiety, pain, shame, suffering, guilt and grief. It means to experience rest in your soul, joy, peace, hope and satisfaction in life. The opposite of comfort is depression, anger and spiritual torment.

The Holy Spirit is the Heavenly Comforter. We need to receive and retain the Holy Spirit. We need to remain filled with the Holy Spirit even to overflow, to be able to touch others with the comfort we have received from God. Family and friends may help and encourage you in times of trouble. Money can buy some little happiness. But no one and nothing else apart from the Holy Spirit can truly comfort your soul. Seek God and His comfort! If you desire to live an independent and rebellious proud life, then you reject God’s comfort, for He comforts only those who confess their need for God. Jesus Christ, our Great Shepherd, only takes care of His sheep and not of the goats that ‘join’ His flock by the side, for temporary entertainment and some stolen food. The Holy Spirit’s comfort works in life and in death. It works unto the end. It works in all circumstances and seasons of life. Have faith in God! No matter the trials and temptations, because we have the hope of glory, we have God’s comfort too.

Are you a child of God? Then receive the strength, peace, joy and comfort by the power of the Holy Ghost! At the name of Jesus, depression, fear, sickness, loneliness and grief must bow and go away. Holy Spirit, please come and fill us again! Thank You Lord! Joy comes in the morning… It is well!