I’m Joni Eareckson Tada. Let me tell you what happened the other day when I was feeling pretty down...
It was last Sunday afternoon and I missed church that morning because I had to be in bed -- pain does that to me every once in a while, but this time, but on this particular Sunday I was feeling so low. Thankfully, when I’m in bed I'm able to control my computer with my voice, so I was on my side with my laptop next to me... I opened my Bible software program to look up some Scriptures...
Up came one of those pop-up pages -- it was a reading from one of Charles Spurgeon's devotionals. This particular devotional was about the consoling work of the Holy Spirit. In need of encouragement as I was, I sensed the Spirit whispering, “Joni, go ahead, read about me right now.” So I did, and boy, was it a blessing. It was all about the work of the Holy Spirit, described as only Spurgeon can. He said...
“Jesus cheers us.” Those three little words alone caught my eye. Jesus cheers us... not by his physical presence, but He cheers us through the Holy Spirit. Yes, the Spirit's role is to convict and convince us of sin, and to illuminate and instruct our hearts... but his main work is to make glad our tired hearts, to uplift and confirm you if you’re feeling weak, to encourage and raise you up if you are feeling downcast, and to comfort you. And he does this all through Jesus.
Yes, the Holy Spirit consoles, but Jesus is the Consolation. The Holy Spirit may act as a physician, but Christ is the medicine. The Spirit heals, but he does so by applying the balm of Gilead, the Lord Jesus. One might be the Comforter, but the other is true Comfort. The Spirit focuses not on his own things, but the things of Christ. Spurgeon reminded me that with such rich provision, why should I be sad, why should I be despondent? The Holy Spirit is graciously engaged to be my Comforter. He comes alongside me to show me Christ as I might not see him when times are happy or when life is smooth and easy.
And surely, the Holy Spirit takes His sacred trust seriously – isn’t that a good word. It's the Spirit's greatest joy; it’s His greatest pleasure -- it's his specific command -- to honor Christ by helping you and me. Now what do you think, friend, would the Holy Spirit neglect or ignore the Father’s command to you and me? I don't think so! No, it’s the Spirit’s task to strengthen you, and He's one who would never neglect that loving office -- He lives within your heart to make your heart sturdy; to make your heart glad today, and to remind you of sure and certain promises.
And the beautiful promise that made my heart strong on that Sunday afternoon when I was so downcast in my heart was Isaiah 61 where it is said of Jesus, "he has come to bind up the wounds of the brokenhearted and to comfort all who mourn ... to bestow on them a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." Wow! By the time the afternoon drifted into evening, I was, well… a different person. I was still in pain and in bed, but I was at peace.
Friend, if today you feel weak and weary, if you feel as though your faith is caving in, the Spirit is already on it! He's engaged. He is there; He speaks the comforting language of Jesus! And if you're feeling weighted by weariness, I want you to visit me today at joniandfriendsradio.org because I want to send you a little booklet I wrote called “Speaking God's Language;” it is filled with those sure and certain promises the Holy Spirit guides you to when you need His consolation. Visit me and ask for your free copy at joniandfriendsradio.org and I’ll send you this little booklet right away.
Until next time, blessings on you and the comfort of Jesus!
Used by permission of
JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 91376
© Joni and Friends