July 9 Daily Devotional

In the Comfort of the Holy Spirit

Peter G. Feenstra

Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. Acts 9:31

Bible Reading

Acts 9:26–31

Devotional

On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit is poured out on the church. He convinces and convicts the world concerning sin, righteousness and judgment. As a result of the Spirit’s work lives are changed, churches are instituted, people profess their faith, office-bearers are ordained, and the sacraments are administered. He causes people to speak of the mighty deeds of the Lord. In the church we experience the warmth of the Spirit as He works repentance and changes hearts. Every Lord’s Day the Spirit takes us by the hand and says, “Come, let me take you to the Lord Jesus Christ and show you what you have in Him!” The Spirit comforts us by placing all the documents on the table, showing that Jesus is indeed the Christ. He puts a Bible in our hand.

The Spirit is keenly involved in the gathering of the church. That much is clear from Acts 9:31. What a remarkable text! After some amazing developments had taken place in the church the author of Acts concludes, “Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.”

The Holy Spirit comforts us by growth in the church. Children born into the church are the comfort of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit encourages us when a person breaks away from a life of sin and joins a faithful gathering of believers. Mission news is the comfort of the Spirit. He changes our hearts, working regeneration and bringing us to repentance.

The comfort of the Holy Spirit is not time-bound or limited to one place. No one can stop the work or the word of the Spirit. On the last page of God’s revelation the Spirit and the Bride say, “Come, Lord Jesus.” The Spirit looks forward to the last day when He will complete the cleansing of all things. The whole creation will be made perfect. This is what the Spirit is working toward and that is why the Spirit calls us to exalt the Lord. Therefore, let the voices the Father created, the Son redeemed, and the Spirit renewed give praise to the Lord as we contemplate the glorious works of the Lord and the comfort He provides through His Spirit.

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