The Ultimate Comforter

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of going shopping with a dear friend and spending a few hours just having fun. One of my "shopping goals" was to find a new comforter set for my bedroom. After browsing a few stores I found a beautiful set in burnt orange, cream and brown with what looked like an Asian inspired stitching of trees and leaves. The store was out of stock in the size I needed, so I ordered it to be delivered to the house a few days later. My husband called me at work to let me know the day it arrived and that evening I came home and had some fun pulling out all the decorative pillows and shams, etc. that came with the set. It was a perfect fit for our room. Mission accomplished!

It wasn't very cold back when I first bought the set, so I mainly enjoyed it for the vibrant colors it added to the room. Now as winter has finally blown into eastern North Carolina, that comforter and I have become the best of friends for more important reasons! As the temperature continues to drop, I know that comforter is there waiting for me to jump into bed and snuggle down underneath and it will tuck me away from the drafts that try to invade even the most well insulated homes at night. While I appreciate it's beauty, it is really the warmth and protection from the night air that bring real meaning to it's name of "comforter."

Most everyone has experienced what we could call "dark" times in our lives when it seems circumstances around us have turned cold. Knowing Christ does not exempt us from dealing with the tests and trials of life. Scripture is clear that we will experience these things, but it comes with a precious promise of victory!

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Jesus encourages us to keep our chin up and our joy active because He has already overcome and made us overcomers along with Himself. One way that He did this was by being sure that when He left the earth, we would not be left alone. It had to be a hard pill for the disciples to swallow to know Jesus was going to be taken away from them to return to Heaven to the Father. He was the miracle worker, the one who calmed the winds and the waves when the storms rose up. What were they going to do? Who would they turn to now that the Master was going away? I am so glad you asked!

In John 14:16 Jesus let them know that no matter what, they would never be alone. "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever."

Who is this Comforter Jesus spoke of? He is the marvelous Holy Spirit - the third person of the Godhead on assignment to assist the believer in their walk here on the earth. Even though this world is not our home and we are not "of the world", because we are in it there are times when the "night air" of the darkness around us will try to invade our hearts and bring fear along with it.

In December I went to a movie theater alone with my husband for the first time in years on a date night. As we were entering the theater where our movie was showing I suddenly began to feel uneasy as thoughts of a tragic shooting that took place in a movie theater in Colorado a few months ago began to float through my mind. I found myself looking around at others in the theater to see if anyone looked suspicious, and in an instant a battle in my mind had begun. In that moment I had a choice to make - stay out in the cold night air of darkness or jump in under the Comforter, the Holy Ghost! As quickly as the thoughts came, I began to cast them down and intentionally yield to the "peace that passes understanding" that can only be found in the Spirit of God. Within just a couple of minutes, the warmth and glory of God filled my heart and mind and I went on to enjoy my night out with no thought at all of fear or distress.

My friends, we live in what the Bible calls "perilous times." It doesn't matter what country you live in, how much money you have, or what your title or position is - we are confronted daily with the works of the enemy in the world around us. Now more than ever we must wrap ourselves tightly in the Word and the comfort of the Holy Spirit and trust God like never before.

If your find yourself dealing with a "cold draft" of fear or doubt in your mind, I encourage you to take comfort in the powerful words of Psalm 91. These are words that I personalize and confess on a regular basis in the first person - something like this:

Psalm 91

1 I dwell in the shelter of the Most High
and rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save my family and I
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He covers me with his feathers,
and under his wings I find refuge;
his faithfulness is my shield and rampart.
5 I will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at our side,
ten thousand at our right hand,
but it will not come near us.
8 We will only observe with our eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 I say, “The Lord is our refuge,”
and we make the Most High our dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake us,
no disaster will come near our tent (home).
11 For he has commanded his angels concerning us
to guard us in all your ways;
12 they will lift us up in their hands,
so that we will not strike our foot against a stone.
13 We tread on the lion and the cobra;
we will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”

Wow!!! To me this Scripture is the perfect way to jump in under the Comforter of the Holy Spirit. As I confess these Words, He bears witness to them in my heart and every doubt and fear leave as the faith of God rises up and dispels the darkness. Rejoice my friend - no matter what happens in the world around us - we have overcome the world through Christ! Don't allow the "night air" to overtake you - become best friends with the Holy Spirit and allow Him to be to you what He is to me and so many others - The Ultimate Comforter!