Comfort, Hope and Peace

The fruits of the Spirit are a blessing to the Christian. What I need in 2014 are the fruits of comfort, hope and peace. All of these fruits are founded on the finished and perfect work of Christ. The Spirits 'task' is to take it out of Christ and to reveal it to His people (John 16:14 ). I pray every day for the Spirit to never leave me nor forsake me and that I might experience these fruits in my life. 

The Holy Spirit is often described in the New Testament as the Comforter. (John 14:16, 18; John 16:7) Why? Because I can be comforted knowing that my sins are washed and cleansed in the perfect righteousness of my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ. There is no greater comfort than knowing and believing that. I am eternally secure in Him.

Hope as the fruit of the Spirit is not a wishful thinking kind of thing, but as sure and solid as if it were already obtained. (2 Cor 3:12) As the Psalter puts it: "Hope in the Lord ye waiting saints and He will well provide." That hope is based on the grace and mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Who "is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Heb 13:8) He does not change (immutable) and He is faithful to His Word.

Peace is the third gift of the Spirit that I constantly need every day. Peace that passes all understanding will help me to cope and not question God's wisdom and plan for my life. I have peace knowing that my heavenly Father is guiding all things for my good (Rom 8:28). Jesus promised His disciples that when He would leave them that He would give them peace. All that we have to do is ask, and that peace can be ours as well.

Jack

’Midst the darkness, storm, and sorrow,

  One bright gleam I see;

Well I know the blessed morrow

  Christ will come for me.

’Midst the peace, the joy, the glory

  And the light, God’s own,

Christ for me is watching, waiting,

  Waiting ’til I come.

Long the blessed Guide has led me,

  By the desert road;

Now I see the coming splendor,

  Splendor of my God.

There amidst the love and glory

  He is waiting yet;

On His hands a name is graven

  He can ne’er forget.

Who is this, who comes to meet me,

  On the desert way,

As the Morning Star foretelling

  God’s unclouded day?

He it is who came to win me,

  On the cross of shame;

In His glory well I know Him,

  Evermore the same.

O the blessed joy of meeting,

  All the desert past;

O the wondrous words of greeting,

  He shall speak at last!

He and I together ent’ring

  The fair realm above;

He and I together sharing

  All the Father’s love.

Where no shade nor stain can enter,

  Nor the gold be dim,

In His holiness unsullied,

  I shall walk with Him.

Meet companion then for Jesus,

  From Him, for Him, made—

Glory of God’s grace forever

  There in me displayed.

He who in His hour of sorrow

  Bore the curse alone;

I who through the lonely desert

  Trod where He had gone;

He and I, in that bright glory,

  One deep joy shall share—

Mine, to be forever with Him;

  His, that I am there.

Gerhardt Tersteegen (1697-1763)

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/964#ixzz2q7POwspe