Together - Daily DevotionalSample

Comforter 

In addition to symbols of the Holy Spirit, God has also provided examples of “types” or roles of the Holy Spirit to increase our understanding of Him. The first is as a Comforter but the Amplified Bible shows a number of possible interpretations because the original Greek for Comforter is difficult to translate. It is the word “Parakletos”. Para means “alongside” and Kaleo “to call”. In other words, the Holy Spirit is One called alongside to help. Even the word Comforter can be inadequate because in modern thought it means consoler whereas originally it meant encourager.

In the Bayeux Tapestry depicting the Battle of Hastings, there is an illustration entitled “Odo comforts his troops”. Odo was one of the Norman commanders and he is shown not putting an arm around their exhausted shoulders but waving a club over their heads. In those days to comfort was not to console but to urge onwards. The Holy Spirit does console us but perhaps more often urges us onwards when we are frightened or exhausted.

In whatever way we might understand Jesus words, it is clear that the Holy Spirit comes alongside us to support, strengthen and help us with His supernatural abilities.

Prayer: Thank you Holy Spirit that your supernatural help is available to me every moment of every day