The Comforter

The dictionary defines a comforter as one who makes strong; who imparts strength and hope to; who encourages; who gives relief to; who consoles; and who is able to cheer.

In life, growing up, who is the one person you can think of as your first comforter…Mom or Dad, Grandma or Grandpa, a best friend. But did they always provide comfort? Could they be there at all times? And even if they were there, could they always say or do just the right thing to comfort you? Probably not.

Job had friends who came to him in his time of need. Look what he says about how they “comforted” him during his suffering. “I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.” (Job 16:2). Ever had a comforter like that? I have! J God can and does use us to comfort one another, BUT we don’t always do a good job at it.

Jesus provided much comfort while on earth. Imagine walking, talking, and seeing face to face the very King of Glory! And then having him leave…He knew we would face persecution, trials, tribulation, and heartache and that we would need another comforter. (John 14:16-17) “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 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.” (John 16:7) “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.”

Soon after Jesus went back to heaven, Acts 6:5 lets us know that there was a man named Stephen who had received the Holy Ghost. “…and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost…” He was a mighty worker for the Church and the work of the Lord. The people in his day became very angry at him for the work he did so they lied about him and had him arrested. Stephen got an opportunity to witness to them through speaking in his in his own defense. (I encourage you to read the whole account of what happened in Acts chapters 6 and 7).

Acts 7:51-60 says, “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murders: Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. When they heard these things (in other words, the truths Stephen told them about what they had done), they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth (they actually bit him with their teeth they were so mad!). But he being full of the Holy Ghost (Since Acts 6:5 tells us plainly that Stephen had the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, why do you think it was important that this fact is repeated in this passage as well?…Because it shows HOW Stephen was able to endure such treatment… Stephen was able to endure all the terrible things that happened to him and didn’t retaliate by the power of the Holy Ghost working in him.), looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears (they couldn’t stand to hear the truth!), and ran upon him with one accord (altogether at the same time), And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul (who would later be converted and name changed to Paul). And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” (In all this…being arrested, the biting, the stoning, and ultimately death…he was an example to them of  the power of the Holy Ghost and the fruit thereof …love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. He found comfort in the Holy Ghost despite all he suffered. Something else to think about…at least one of those there that day later found Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. I believe Stephen would say that it was worth it all…)

-[Charlotte Dixon]