View source for 43.The Holy Spirit the Comforter--but Jesus is the Comfort!

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<p> ("http://www.gracegems.org/21/Charles_Spurgeon_sermons.htm"Charles Spurgeon)<br />
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  &quot;The <em>Comforter</em>, who is the Holy Spirit.&quot; John 14:26<br><br>
This age is especially the <em>dispensation of the Holy Spirit</em>, in which Jesus cheers us, not by His <em>personal </em>presence, as He shall do in glory—but by the indwelling and constant abiding of the Holy Spirit, who is evermore the <em>Comforter </em>of His people. It is His office to <em>console </em>the hearts of God's people. He <em>convinces </em>of sin; He <em>illuminates </em>and <em>instructs</em>—but still the main part of His work lies . . .<br />
  in comforting the hearts of the renewed,<br />
  in confirming the weak, and<br />
  lifting up all those who are bowed down.<br><br>
<strong>He does this—by revealing Jesus to them!</strong> The Holy Spirit <em>consoles</em>—but Christ is the <em>consolation</em>. If we may use the figure, the Holy Spirit is the <em>Physician</em>—but Jesus is the<em>medicine</em>. The Holy Spirit heals the wound—but it is by applying the holy ointment of Christ's grace. <strong>The Holy Spirit is the Comforter—but Jesus is the Comfort!</strong><br><br>
Now, with such rich provision for his need, why should the Christian be sad and desponding? The Holy Spirit has graciously engaged to be your Comforter. Do you imagine, O weak and trembling believer, that He will be <em>negligent </em>of His sacred trust? Can you suppose that He has undertaken what He cannot or will not perform? If it is His special work to<em>strengthen </em>you, and to <em>comfort </em>you—do you suppose He has <em>forgotten </em>His business, or that He will <em>fail </em>in the loving office which He sustains towards you? No! Do not think so harshly of the tender and blessed Spirit, whose name is &quot;the Comforter.&quot; He delights to give beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Trust in Him, and He will surely comfort you—until the <em>house of mourning</em> is closed forever—and the<em> marriage feast </em>has begun!
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