October 12

Morning

I will meditate on Your precepts and regard Your ways. — Ps 119:15 BSB

There are times when being alone is better than being with others, and silence is wiser than speaking. We would be stronger Christians if we spent more time alone with God, waiting on Him and gaining spiritual strength through meditation on His Word. We must dwell on the things of God, for that is how we draw out their true nourishment.

Truth is like a cluster of grapes. If we want to enjoy the wine from it, we must press the grapes. The fruit must be crushed and pressed repeatedly, otherwise the precious juice will not flow. In the same way, we must meditate on the truths of God if we want to receive the rich comfort they contain.

Our physical bodies are not nourished simply by eating food. It is the process of digestion that supplies our muscles, nerves, and bones with strength. Similarly, our souls are not nourished just by hearing or reading the Word of God. For truth to benefit us, it must be inwardly digested, and that happens through meditation.

Why is it that some Christians, though they hear many sermons, make so little progress in the faith? It’s because they neglect private meditation. They love the grain but refuse to grind it. They want the fruit but will not go into the fields to gather it. The water of life flows freely at their feet, but they will not bend down to drink. From such folly, Lord, deliver us! Let us resolve today to say, “I will meditate on Your precepts.”

Evening

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you. — John 14:26 BSB

This age is uniquely the age of the Holy Spirit, in which Jesus comforts us—not through His physical presence but through the indwelling and constant presence of the Holy Spirit, who is the Comforter of the Church. The Holy Spirit’s primary role is to console the hearts of God’s people. He convicts us of sin, illuminates our minds, and instructs us, but the central work of the Holy Spirit is to comfort, strengthen, and lift up those who are bowed down.

He does this by revealing Jesus to us. The Holy Spirit comforts, but Christ is the comfort. We might say that the Holy Spirit is the Physician, and Christ is the medicine. The Spirit heals the wounds of sin by applying the soothing balm of Christ’s grace. The Spirit does not speak of His own things but reveals the things of Christ. He is the Comforter, but Christ is the Comfort.

With such rich provision for our needs, why should any Christian be sad or despondent? The Holy Spirit has committed Himself to be your Comforter. Do you think, dear trembling believer, that He will neglect His sacred task? Could He fail to perform the loving role He has promised to you? It’s impossible! Don’t think so harshly of the tender and compassionate Spirit, whose very name is “the Comforter.” He delights to give beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for the spirit of despair. Trust Him, and He will surely comfort you until the house of mourning is closed forever and the marriage feast of the Lamb begins!