1 - Introduction - Living like a real Christian 3 - Blessed are those who mourn | Page 11
firm against persecution the applause crescendos. I know this may sound
somewhat far-fetched, but wouldn’t it be cool if it were true?! We all know that
good character does not come easily. The writer of our reading today makes it
clear that character comes as a result of a positive attitude towards suffering; it
comes as a result of perseverance under pressure, but with this development of
character comes the wonder of hope. He tells us in verse 5 that this hope will
never disappoint us. He concludes this verse by giving credit for all of this to the
Holy Spirit who is our Comforter.
Won’t you take a moment to take a mental journey through some of the
characters in the New Testament who came from nothing but by the time they
had spent time with Jesus, and pursued the call upon their lives, they had
developed a robust character. I personally, think of Peter, who began as an
uncouth, rough fisherman, went through many ups and downs, suffered many
failures, and yet at the end of the day became one of the most courageous
leaders the church has ever known. I believe that over the course of his life,
along with a great cloud of witnesses, the Holy Spirit would have been cheering
him on.
Prayer Thought: There are so many other examples just like Peter, take some
time to contemplate a few and then thank God for the fact that He is able to
develop a deeper character within you as a result of the comfort He gives to you as
you go through the ups and downs of life.
Sunday
Reading: John 8 v 1 – 11 / John 5 v 1 – 11
The last point which I would like to make in our contemplation of the Holy
Spirit’s role as our “Comforter” is this:
#9: The Comforter always Concludes the issue with a Caution. We do, I believe,
need to take seriously today’s devotion. I do not believe that we should in
anyway lull ourselves into a situation where we take the Grace of God lightly.
The price Jesus paid for our redemption and sanctification that encapsulates all
of this week’s studies was enormous and we never, ever in any way want to be