Comfort Like No Other 

We all desire comfort more often than not. Especially during difficult circumstances in which we eat foods, consume drinks, and engage in activities all for the sake of our own comfort. And although we seek and obtain comfort from these things as well as people, they are all merely temporary. So the question then is, how does one find such a comfort that is lasting, satisfying and trustworthy?  Let me begin to answer this question by turning your attention to the promise of The Comforter in John 14:16-18.

^{16 “}And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
¹⁷ Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
¹⁸ I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”

– John 14:16-18 (King James Version)

Comfort Defined

But before we can begin to truly understand The Comforter and all that He has to offer let’s first define the word comfort. Comfort is defined in The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary in the following way, “As pertaining to the life of the believer it is the consolation and support that results from the gracious work of the indwelling Comforter, making clear to him his part in the great redemption, assuring him of the Savior’s love, and imparting peace and joy.”

This definition illustrates not only what comfort provides (consolation, support, assurance, love, peace, and joy) for the believer, but who gives it (The Savior, the indwelling Comforter).

The Comforter Promised 

Now that we know what having comfort provides from a Biblical standpoint, to those that believe in the saving work of what Jesus did on the cross, let’s examine John 14:16-18 to further testify of the satisfying and lasting comfort that is only secured through a relationship with Christ.

1. Comfort that is Lasting: In John 14:16 (“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;”), we see the promise of The Comforter that will remain with the believer forever.
2. Comfort that is Satisfying: In John 14:17 (“Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”), we see that because of the believers relationship with knowing Christ we have the Spirit of truth which is the Holy Spirit within us.  This also means that we have the fruits of the Spirit as seen in Galatians 5:22-23.
3. Comfort that is Trustworthy: In John 14:18 (“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”), we see reaffirmation of the promise for The Comforter to provide ongoing comfort to the believer.

There is Comfort For Believers

1. There is Comfort: (Romans 5:5) “…because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
   1. Only Found in God: (2 Corinthians 1:3) “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort…”
      1. In His Word: (Psalm 119:50) “This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your word has revived me.”
      2. Among His People: (Philemon 1:7) “For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.”
   2. For Those Who Grieve (2 Corinthians 1:4) “…who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

I can testify that the comfort only found in Christ is like no other! Not only is it permanent, fulfilling, and faithful, but it is such that one has to share in comforting others that have gone through pain and suffering too.

*The Unger’s Bible Dictionary by Merrill F. Unger (comfort)