An Uncomforted Heart

The root of an uncomforted heart is an orphan heart. By its very definition, an orphan is a loner, striving to find a place in the world and consequently becoming self-centred and self-reliant. An uncomfortable existence!

“I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you” (John 14:18 NIV)
“I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you” (KJV)

During the last meal Jesus had with his disciples he promises to send the Holy Spirit  as ‘another Comforter’, someone who will be with us forever and who will constantly remind us that we are not orphans but sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. 

The life of an orphan is very uncomfortable. We see a very clear indication of this in the story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:9-12) where, following the killing of Abel, Cain is told that he’ll be a ‘restless wanderer on the face of the earth’. That’s a tragic consequence: no place to call home, no security, no provision and no identity. 

Sadly that describes many of us. We feel a continual restlessness in our heart which leads to us striving for position and recognition. We are, as Jesus says, without comfort. He knows our true identity as sons and daughters and he promises he won’t leave us but will come and comfort us through the Holy Spirit pouring the Father’s comforting love into our hearts. As we are comforted, the ‘Abba’ cry rises in our heart and we know that we are no longer orphans but children of God. Our comforted heart finds its place of safety and belonging. 

I hope and pray this can become our daily reality.