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You Have A Comforter!
by David Wilkerson |
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You Have A Comforter!
by David Wilkerson |
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I am learning something very wonderful about the Holy Spirit.
He has a very unique characteristic: He does not like to talk about
Himself. He does not make himself the primary object of our
attention.
I have tried earnestly to study the Holy Spirit, digging into
entire volumes about Him wtitten by respected authors. Some of these
books are very deep and often hard to understand - books about His
nature and personality. They all are very interesting...but not always
edifying. the fact is, they *can't* be edifying. Because you can only
understand *of the Spirit* what the Spirit Himself reveals - and He
won't talk about Himself!
I have tried digging into the meaning of the Holy Spirit's names -
Paraclete, Advocate, Intercessor - looking for some insight as to who
He is. But I finally realized, we Christians don't have to understand
the person of the Holy Ghost - because He doesn't want to tell us
hidden things about Himself. All we need to know is that He is one of
the Godhead: eternal, the very Spirit of Christ, sent down to this
earth to live in us who believe. *And His eyes are always on Christ!*
*You see the Holy Ghost doesn't want us to know about Himself so
much as to know His mission - and that mission is to bring us to Jesus*
and keep us in purity and holiness. He is always at work, making
christ known in our hearts, and He delights in our seeking knowledge
about why he has come.
Jesus said, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will
guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but
whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you
things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and
shall shew it unto you. (John 16:13-14)
JESUS SAID, "I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU COMFORTLESS:
I WILL COME TO YOU
(John 14:18)
As Jesus said this, He stood before His disciples on the Mount of
Transfiguration. He had gathered His chosen ones for a last moment of
communion, just before He was to be translated into heaven. And what a
sad, sorrowful lot they were!
Their sole source of comfort was being taken from them. Jesus was
their guide and teacher, their joy, peace, hope and love. Now He was
physically leaving them, and I'm sure they thought: "Now who will guide
us? Where will we go for the words of eternal life? He is God in the
flesh - and He is leaving us! He said to go into all the world and
preach the gospel in His name. But where will the power and authority
come from? He is all we have known. We have built out entire world
around Him!"
Jesus read their minds. And He knew what they were going to face:
hardships, destitution, persecution, the loss of all things, the
spoiling of their earthly goods, being dragged before magistrates, even
being tortured for His name. Yet I doubt that many - if any - of those
disciples truly heard or understood Jesus's immortal words: *"I will
not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."* He was saying,"I will
never turn you over to the clutches of Satan! I will never let you
fight your battles alone. I know what your going to face - but I know
Father's wonderful plan for you. If you knew and understood it, your
hearts would rejoice! You would be leaping for joy, because I am going
to My Father."
"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 14:16,17)
Jesus was saying, "I leave you as one man - God in the flesh - and
I will return to you as Spirit." And indeed the Holy Ghost is, in
essence, the very Spirit of Christ.
You may ask, isn't the Holy Spirit sent to *all* mankind? Don't
the Scriptures say He will be poured out upon all flesh in the last
days? Yes - He is sent to the world, to the sinner, for one purpose:
as convicter and convincer of sin, righteousness and judgement. "And
when he is come, he will reprove [convince] the world of sin, and of
righteousness, and of judgement" (John 16:8). First, He convicts of
sin: "Of sin, because they believe not on me" (verse 9). The Spirit
reveals that all sin is based on one foundation: *unbelief*. This
means, simply, unbelief in the power and blood of Jesus Christ to save
and deliver from sin.
Second, He convicts of *righteousness*: "Of righteousness, because
I go to my father, and ye see me no more" (verse 10). As Jesus looked
out at His disciples, He was saying, "You who see me ascending to
heaven bear witness to my righteousness - for God would not translate
an unholy man. The Holy Spirit will say through you to the world, "You
called Him a devil, a glutton, a winebibber, an imposter. But how do
you answer His being taken into glory by the Father?"
Third, He convicts of *judgement*: "Of judgement, because the
prince of this world is judged" (verse 11). The Holy Spirit testifies
to the world that there is now freedom for all men - because Jesus
Christ judged and destroyed the power of Satan at the Cross.
Yet even though the Holy Spirit is poured out upon all men in this
way, right now he is not living and abiding in the whole world. No, at
this moment He lives only in those that are truly born again, who walk
by faith in the finished work of the Cross. And He longs to make
Himself fully known, both *in them* and *to them.*
The Holy Spirit was not sent to us as a passive, weak influence.
Many Christians picture Him as some kind of sweet, innocent mist
sprayed over the earth - a soothing, divine ehter that fills their
lives. Some believe all they have to do is simply "breathe Him in"! No
- the Holy Ghost is a person, with a personality! he is as real in
Spirit as you are in the flesh! He has a mind, eyes, ears and
feelings. You can't picture Him in human form - but He hears and
talks. If Jesus were to suddenly appear alongside you, walking with
you, would you talk to Him? Would you have any questions for Him, any
requests? Would you unburden your heart to Him and tell Him all you
are going through? *Of course you would!* And God has sent the Holy
Spirit to us on earth to be that *personal* to us!
I recently said to the Holy Ghost, "I read in the lives of the
disciples that You spoke clearly to them. Holy Spirit, if You ever
talked to any man after the Cross, then talk to me too!" He answered
me, "I will, David, if you will acknowledge how personal I am to you."
As i prepared this message, this sad truth exploded in my heart: We
believe the Holy Ghost has been sent to the world. But we have a
harder time believing He has been sent to us as individuals - that we
can say, "He is mine!"
WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT ENTERS OUR HEARTS, HE
PERSONALIZES OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD THE
FATHER AND JESUS.
The holy Ghost has a way of simplifying our relationship with God
the Father and Jesus. He is the One who teaches us to say, 'Abba,
Father." This phrase refers to an oriental custom of Bible days,
regarding the adoption of a child. Until the adoption papers were
signed and sealed by the adopting father, the child saw this man only
as *a* father. He had no right to call him *Abba*, meaning "my." Yet
as soon as the papers were signed, registered and sealed, the child's
tutor presented him to the adopting father - and for the first time the
child could say, "Abba, Father!" As the father embraced him, the young
one cried, "My father! He's not just *a* father anymore. He's mine!"
This is the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit. He tutors you of
Christ. He presents you to the Father. And keeps reminding you, "I
have sealed the papers. You are no longer an orphan - you are legally
a son of God! You now have a very loving, wealthy, powerful Father.
Embrace Him - call Him "my Father." I have come to show you how much
you are *loved* by Him! He wouldn't have adopted you while you were
wild, sinful and rebellious unless He loved and wanted you!"
Think of the millions who are going to Hell every day. But God
chose *you*. And not only did He choose you - He also *adopted* you!
He signed and sealed papers by the Holy Spirit, so you could call the
Father yours - so you could cry out. "Abba, Father!" This cry should
be one of exceeding joy and thanksgiving. The Spirit in us literally
cries out, "You are an heir, an inheritor of all that Jesus won. And
what an inheritance you have, because your Father is the wealthiest in
the whole universe! So not shy away from Him. He's not mad at you.
Stop acting like an orphan who's poverty-stricken, lacking joy and
spiritual victory. You are not forsaken - so enjoy Him!"
"He is *your* Father. Jesus is *your* Lord, *your* brother, *your*
friend, *your* Bridegroom. And I too have been sent Just for you, to
guide, defend and keep you. I am yours! I live in your heart, and I
want to be intimate with you. We must walk and talk together!"
Beloved, I have found I no longer enter my prayer closet condemned,
because I have this knowledge. i know my sins are under the blood. I
know the Holy Ghost has given me strength to walk in His holiness and
righteousness. And I can walk into His presence and say, "Holy Ghost,
I know You fill the entire world - but You're also *mine!* You're
living *in me!* Jesus died for the whole world - but He's also *my*
Savior!"
"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but
ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the
children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and
joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may
be also glorified together." (Romans 8:15-17)
Have you caught a glimpse of your own "adoption papers" yet?
They're right in front of you - in your Bible! And the Holy Spirit is
the seal that says, "You have been adopted by the heavenly Father!"
THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS SENT US ON A LOVE MISSION
The Spirit's mission is to comfort Christ's bride in the absence of
the Bridgegroom, Christ. "He shall give you another Comforter, that he
may abide with you for ever" (John 14:16). "But the Comforter, which
is the Holy Ghost (verse 26). "When the Comforter is come" (15:26).
"Comforter" means one who sooths in a time of pain or grief - one who
eases pain and sorrow, brings relief, consoles and encourages. But I
like this definition from the Greek: "One who lays you down on a warm
bed of safety." During the cold, dark night of your soul, He lays you
down on the soft bed of His comfort, soothing you with His tender hand.
By calling the Holy Spirit the Comforter, Jesus made an infallible
prediction. He was predicting His people would be suffering discomfort
and would be in need of comfort - that there would be a lot of pain and
suffering among his people in the last days.
Before Christ, the Spirit had come to earth at divine, appointed
times - as Creator, as Revealer of divine truth, as Worker of great
miricles. But only to us who live in the last days has he been sent
as *the Comforter!*
You may say, "I've heard all my life that the Holy Spirit comforts
me. But how does He comfort me? I need it now, because I've got
problems and difficulties." His answer to you is contained in two
simple sentences.
"YOU ARE LOVED AND YOU ARE LEAVING!"
First of all, the Holy Spirit brings comfort by reminding you that
He lives in you with all the power of God in herent in His being. And
that's why you can say, "Greater is He that is in me than all world
powers combined - greater than all demon powers!" God sent the Spirit
to sue all His power to keep you out of the clutches of Satan - to lift
your spirit, drive away all depression and *flood your soul with the
love of your Lord.*
"we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh
patience;... And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is
shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
(Romans 5:3,5)
The New American Standard Version says God's love is "poured out
within our hearts," into every nook and cranny of our being. That
means when your in trouble... when persecution comes...when you don't
know which way to turn...in your most troubled, disturbing moments -
*stop everything!* Talk to the Holy Spirit within you. Ask Him, "What
do you have to say to me about this, at this exact moment?" Do you
think He's going to stand by and do nothing? Would He watch passively
as you're being torn apart - *when He's the One who was there to number
your parts as you were being formed in the womb?* NO! During those
times, He'll say to you, "Take a big drink of God's love!" The Holy
Ghost is constantly pouring out the Father's love in your heart. Will
you receive it?
It is an absolute affront to the Holy Spirit for you to continue
living day after day, year after year, as if you were a powerless,
helpless orphan. It is frightful unbelief to remain fearful and
anxious about tommorrow, fretting as if the Holy Spirit within you is
away on some journey and out of touch with your needs.
No, the Holy Ghost never takes a journey - He's come to *abide!*
He brings comfort in your tribulation, and speaks loud and clear in
your time of testing: "Don't be ashamed of your trials and tribulations.
Keep getting up! God is working patience in you, He is building
experience in you. And He loves you in the midst of your pain!"
*Yet the Holy Spirit comforts us in yet another wonderful way.* He
whispers to us:
"By the way, your suitcases are packed. You are an heir, and
you're not here for very long. Why get worked up over all this? You
soon will leave all these troubles behind! So rejoice - you have a
place prepared in glory. You've got an appointment, an eternal
purpose. And I'm here to see that you get there!"
THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL FLOOD YOU WITH
THE KNOWLEDGE THAT GOD LOVES YOU
It is at this point that multitudes of believers fail God. They
are willing to be convicted of sin and failure, over and over again.
But they will not allow the Holy Ghost to flood them with the love of
the Father. The legalist loves to live *only under conviction*. He
has never understood the love of God or allowed the Holy Spirit to
minister that love to his soul. He will accept conviction, but he
won't let the Spirit bathe him in the love of God. the result is that
he never feels loved. And he lives under the constant bondage of
having to prove His love for the Lord!
We at Times Square Church have taught that the righteous person,
the true lover of Jesus, loves reproof. He learns to welcome having
the Holy Spirit expose all his hidden areas of sin and unbelief -
because the more he deals with sin, the happier and freer he becomes.
Yet the attitude I see in many Christians is: "Keep on judging me, Lord
- convict me, beat me!" This is not the same thing as true conviction.
For example, I see this in many responses to my newsletter messages.
When I write a message that thunders with judgement, I get
overwhelmingly approving responses. Yet when I share the sweetness and
love of Jesus, I receive letters saying, "You're not preaching the
truth anymore!" It is though these people are saying, "If you're not
reproving, then what you're saying can't be the gospel." *Such
believers have never entered into the great love-mission of the Holy
Spirit!*
My daughter Bonnie is married and has two children. right now she
is in a time of deep testing, fighting cancer with the help of the Holy
Spirit. This is probably the worst moment of grief in my relationship
with her, as I watch her suffering. In the midst of all of this she
said to me, "Dad, I've always given you a hard time, havn't I? I was
never the kind of daughter I should have been. I've given you so much
pain." Oh, how wrong she was! That wasn't true at all - I never saw
her that way, growing up. I saw the good in her, the love. She was
always special - never disappointing. Yet this is the way so many
children of God see themselves today. They feel like an orphaned child
that can never quite please their Father - one who is always slipping
or failing Him.
How that hurts God! And if you feel that way, it's an affront to
the Holy Ghost - because your not seeing that part of His work is to
comfort your heart. He comforts you with the knowledge that you're
loved, that you've been adopted - and that He is with you to see you
through your troubles and problems.
This is where you *must* learn to walk in the Spirit - *and not by
feelings!* I wrote in my last message that walking in the Spirit means
allowing the Holy Ghost to do in us what He was sent to do. And that
means allowing Him to flood your heart right now with the love of God!
"..because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy
Ghost which is given unto us." (Romans 5:5)
Perhaps you have been robbed of the love of God because of
legalism. You go to church and sit in bondage and fear because, like
my daughter Bonnie, you think you have dirty hands, that your the black
sheep. You don't know how to say, "*My* Father - Abba Father!" may
God deliver you from that *today!* The Holy Spirit didn't come
to condemn you - he came to convict and judge the world! He came to
show you you're adopted by the Father, and that you are dearly loved!
THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL SAY TO YOU THIS VERY DAY,
"As One Whom His mother comforteth, so will I
comfort you."
Isaiah said, "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort
you; and ye shall be comforted in Jeusalem" (Isaiah 66:13) Isaiah was
writing to a stubborn people of God who "went on frowardly in the way
of (their) heart" (Isaiah 57:17) Tell me - how long would a teacher
stick by a stubborn, obstinate student who refuses instruction? How
long would a counselor be patient with someone who refuses to heed
advice? *Not very long.* But the prophet Isaiah takes one of the
highest images possible among men - that of a mother's love for her
child - and shows us something of the love that our Father has for us.
I've seen many pictures in New York City newspapers of a mother
walking into court alongside her accused son. She sits there
faithfully throughout the trial, yearning over him. She hears the
evidence piling up - and she weeps. She is there when he stands to be
sentenced. And as he is led away and turns to wave good-bye, she
throws him a kiss and cries as he is taken to prison. But she never
gives up on him!
One mother in our church takes a whole day to visit her son in an
upstate prison. She gets on a bus and rides for hours, just to see him
for a short while. Such a mother will look across at her son in that
drab uniform and see the agony in his eyes - and each trip she will die
a little more inside. But she never quits on him. he is still her son!
Dear Saint, this is the kind of love the Holy Spirit wants you to
know God has for you! he comforts us by telling us, "You once said you
gave your all to Jesus. You gave Him your love, and He still loves you.
And now, neither will *I* let you go. I've been sent by Him to do a
work - and I will keep doing it!"
There is no true comfort for anything on this earth except that of
the Holy Spirit. People run to counselors, psychologist, friends,
priests, books, tapes, lectures, seminars, group sessions. But how
much comfort do they get? Not enough to last them the trip home! It's
all in vain; the pain keeps coming back. No, the world has nothing to
offer a hurting spirit: "The world knew Him not" (John 1:10)
This is why you need the Holy Ghost abiding in you. He alone can
lay you down at night, as in a warm bed, and fill your heart with
perfect peace. He alone can truly comfort you in times of pain and
sorrow. he is the one who will assure you, "This comfort is not just
temporary - it is eternal! You will be comforted throughout eternity!"
Have you been asking for the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit?
Then don't look for signs - just hunger for more of Jesus. Simply say,
"Jesus, come and enrapture my heart; Holy Spirit, come and possess me.
Be my comfort, be my guide."
Simply pray in faith believing - and trust that God, your loving,
heavenly fahter, will not give you a stone when you ask for bread. He
will send the Comforter!
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