THE COMFORTER IS COME

John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

There is no greater joy to someone who has been profoundly touched by God than to hear these awesome words, “the Comforter is come”. Of course Comforter is one of the titles the church has historically used in reference to the Holy Spirit. Comforter is the term that defines the word “paracletos” in the King James Bible. From the Great Awakening all the way through the great Pentecostal outpouring of the twentieth century, the phrase “the Comforter” has been one of the most cherished and powerful references to God. Sarah Edwards was overcome by the Spirit for over two weeks during the outpouring of the Spirit in Northampton in the 1700’s. Here is a short testimony in her own words to her response when someone even mentioned the Comforter.

“In the evening, these words,

in the Penitential Cries,-“The Comforter is come!”-were

accompanied to my soul with such conscious certainty, and such

intense joy, that immediately it took away my strength, and I was

falling to the floor ; when some of those who were near me caught

me and held me up. And when I repeated the words to the by-standers,

the strength of my feelings was increased. The name-“The

Comforter”-seemed to denote that the Holy Spirit was the only

and infinite Fountain of comfort and joy, and this seemed real and

certain to my mind. These words-“The Comforter”-seemed as it were immensely great, enough

to fill heaven and earth.

“On Tuesday after dinner, Mr. Buell, as he sat at table, began

to discourse about the glories of the upper world ; which greatly affected

me, so as to take away my strength. The views and feelings

of the preceding evening, respecting the Great Comforter, were renewed

in the most lively and joyful manner ; so that my limbs

grew cold, and I continued to a considerable degree overcome for

about an hour, earnestly expressing to those around me, my deep

and joyful sense of the presence and divine excellence of the Com-

forter, and of the glories of heaven.”

Sarah Edwards had been battling depression for years (I wonder if that had anything to do with being a pastor’s wife and having eleven children?). Sarah was touched powerful during this outpouring and was filled with supernatural joy. The depression was gone and she became a proof text of the reality of the outpouring of the Spirit. Jonathan wrote about the testimony of David Brainerd and his wife Sarah to refute the enemies of revival in his day. More Lord! Visit us again.