THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5
John 14:15-18
2 Corinthians 1:20-22

“How sweet are
thy words unto my taste…”

PROMISE OF EVERLASTING CONSOLATION

Our Lord’s imminent separation from the disciples filled their hearts with sorrow, anxiety and uncertainty for the future. What would they do without their Master? Might not the same fears come to us also? But these are needless fears, for ours is a complete salvation. Our Lord does not only save, He comforts and keeps!

To the grieving disciples Jesus promised another Comforter. This is the great New Testament promise to all believers. He is Christ’s advocate, someone who would plead His cause and take care of His concerns on earth after His departure. When Christ was with the disciples, He spoke for them, and He cared for them; but now that He was leaving them, another Comforter would continue the work.

Who is this Comforter? He is the Spirit of Truth that “proceedeth from the Father” (John 15:26). God the Father who spared not His Son, but delivered Him up for us all, is also the Giver of this wonderful gift, the Holy Spirit Comforter. How is this blessing procured? By the intercession of our Lord Jesus. “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give…” (John 14:16). Not that God the Father is in any way reluctant, but only that the gift is a fruit of Christ’s mediation. O how our Saviour cares for us!

Notice further the permanence of the blessing: “… that he may abide with you for ever” (John 14:16). The Holy Spirit of God will reside with the followers of Jesus as long as they live. If you are a believer and a disciple, you will never lack a comforter. The Holy Spirit Comforter abides with you forever! This is our everlasting consolation and assurance. We may be parted asunder, dispersed far and wide, but the Comforter will be with us all, in all places and at all times! That is every believer’s blessed heritage.

This precious promise is made on one condition: that we keep His commandments as a token of our love to Him (John 14:15).

THOUGHT: All the promises of God in Christ are yea and Amen.
PRAYER: (Thank God for His promise in Matthew 28:20).