In the Bible the Holy Spirit is called many different names, one of them being “The Comforter”. It’s difficult to understand how this Comforting Spirit can help us in our daily lives. Sehion Youth use a simple analogy to show how the Holy Spirit can refresh, satisfy and strengthen us in the journey of life.
“But those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” JOHN 4:14-16
The Comforter
To see how the Holy Spirit can be a “comfort” to us, let’s imagine that we have been walking in the scorching heat of the sun. After a while our bodies get tired, our feet feel weary, and finally we sit down for a rest, unable to walk any further. There are three things that would really help us in this situation – the shade of a tree to shelter us from the heat, some water to quench our thirst, and a gentle breeze to cool us. For many of us this is what life is like sometimes. In the midst of our sins, worldly pleasures, worries, loneliness, hardships and many unanswered questions, we feel tired and worn out by the journey of life. It is during these difficult moments that we can invite the Holy Spirit, the comforter to enter into our lives to rescue us.
He is the Shade
When we are tired and weary after a long hot walk in the sun, the first thing we look for is some shade to get away from the heat. Isaiah 25:4 says, “For you have been a shade from the heat.” When the Israelites were camping in the desert, on their journey to the Promised Land, the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, comforted them with his divine presence and protection. Wisdom 19:7 says “The cloud was seen overshadowing the camp.” Whenever we call on this holy and comforting spirit, he appears as a shade in our lives protecting us from all danger and the evil power of the enemy.
He Quenches our Thirst
After a long hot walk, the next thing we long for is some water to quench our thirst and bring relief for our parched throat and dry lips. We know that there are many people in this generation, craving for something to quench their thirst and they try many different ways to satisfy their needs, like alcohol, drugs and bad relationships. While the Samaritan woman at the well thirsted for the water of sin, Jesus poured out the life-giving rivers of living water into her heart saying, “Those who drink the water that I give them will never be thirsty again. The water that I give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life” (John 4:14). It is only the Holy Spirit who can quench the desires of our human hearts. Only the Holy Spirit can bring real peace and comfort into our lives, which the false comforts of this world cannot offer. Let us thirst for more of the life-giving Holy Spirit in our lives.
He is the Gentle Breeze
Now all that we need is a gentle breeze to rejuvenate our body. When we feel this gentle breeze blowing we experiences great relief. After receiving protection from the shade and relief from the water, the gentle breeze begins to strengthen us. Sometimes we avoid and neglect this gentle and comforting breeze but he is always there for us when we need him. Sometimes we meet people filled with the Holy Spirit who want to share the good news of Jesus and we can recognise the comforting message of the Spirit through them. Hebrews 1:7 says, “He makes his angels winds.” These angels carry the gospel of truth and joy. If we are open to the voice of these angels in our lives, we will experience the gentle breeze of the Holy Spirit.
Let us pray: O comforting Holy Spirit, please come into our lives as a shelter against the evil one, as the living water to quench our thirst, and as a gentle breeze to strengthen us on the journey of life. Take control of our lives and guide and comfort us. Amen.