But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 14:26 KJV
Trials. We all face them, and I have experienced my fair share recently. Physical afflictions, emotional afflictions, depression trying to overwhelm me, and financial tight spots.
You have been there. You might be there right now. Health, fears, and worries. Problems on the job, in the marriage, with the kids and grandkids. The tiring responsibilities of a ministry career, or caring for a sick loved one.
As I have dug into Elijah’s divine encounter with God on Mount Horeb, I see the Comforter. Before Elijah hears that still small voice of God. he experienced the wind, the earthquake, and the fire. God wasn’t in any of these. After much study and deep prayer, the Lord showed me something.
In the New Testament, wind represents the Holy Spirit. Could the wind that first passed by Elijah be a reminder to us that God sends the Comforter with the trial?
In 1 Kings 19, Elijah runs scared when he learns Queen Jezebel wants to kill him. He runs out of her reach, sits under a tree and begs God to take his life. Elijah has fallen into a deep depression. God tends to Elijah’s physical needs.
Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.” Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again. And the angel of the Lord came back the second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.” (1 Kings 19:5-7)
Stress plays havoc on our bodies and minds. Lack of sleep, loss of appetite, or overeating. And God sent an angel to comfort Elijah and nourish him.
We keep a comforter on our bed. When I get chilled, I reach for it. It doesn’t change the room temperature, but it comforts me with warmth while the room feels cold.
My friend, that is what our Comforter, the Holy Spirit, does for us. He doesn’t remove us from the trial, but He comforts us. He sustains us through it. While we endure the breaking of the earthquakes in our lives and the purifying time in the fire, as we wait to hear God’s still small voice, we aren’t alone. God sends His Comforter.
I don’t know about you, but I get complacent about God’s comfort and grace. He is so good to us that when our world crumbles and we walk through the fire, we fix our eyes on the trial, and we miss the abundance of His comfort.
During your fiery furnace, look for the goodness of God. Focus on Him totally, not the problem at hand. Look at the care of our loving Father.
Heavenly Father, help us recognize Your comfort as we traverse the fires and brokenness in our lives. Thank You for Your tender mercies. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
DIG DEEPER
Read 1 Kings 19:1-14.
HIKING THE TRAIL
What trials do you face now? How has God cared for you in this trial. Thank Him and stay focused on Him.
Originally posted on August 26, 2019 @ 3:09 am