Christ desired His disciples to
understand that He would not leave them orphans. “I will not leave you
comfortless,” He declared: “I will come to you” (John 14:18, 19). . . .
Precious, glorious assurance of eternal life! Even though He was to be absent,
their relation to Him was to be that of a child to its parent. . . . {OFC
127.2}
The words spoken to the
disciples come to us through their words. The Comforter is ours as well as
theirs, at all times and in all places, in all sorrows and in all affliction,
when the outlook seems dark and the future perplexing and we feel helpless and
alone. These are times when the Comforter will be sent in answer to the prayer
of faith. {OFC 127.3}
There is no comforter like Christ, so tender and so true. He
is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. His Spirit speaks to the heart. Circumstances may separate us from our friends; the
broad, restless ocean may roll between us and them. Though their sincere
friendship may still exist, they may be unable to demonstrate it by doing for
us that which would be gratefully received. But no circumstances, no distance,
can separate us from the heavenly Comforter. Wherever we are, wherever we may
go, He is always there, one given in Christ’s
place, to act in His stead. He is always at
our right hand, to speak soothing, gentle words, to support, sustain, uphold,
and cheer. The influence of the Holy Spirit is the life of Christ in the
soul. This Spirit works in and through every one who receives Christ. Those who know the indwelling of this Spirit reveal its fruit—love, joy, peace, long-suffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith. {OFC 127.4}
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