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 adopting 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 he 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’re loved
by him! He loved and wanted you!”
Our
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! Don’t 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!
Not only are we not forsaken but the Holy Spirit is there with us during moments of confusion and suffering.
The
Holy Spirit’s mission is to comfort Christ’s bride in the absence of
the Bridegroom. “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” (v. 26).
Comforter
means “one who soothes 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.
The
Holy Spirit brings comfort by reminding you that he lives in you with
all the power of God inherent in his being. And that’s why you can say,
“Greater is he that is in me than all the world powers combined—greater
than all demon powers!” God sent the Spirit to use 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).
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