Wow! The Holy Spirit’s name took on a completely new meaning for me today.

I knew that the Holy Spirit’s Greek name is parakletos. Some bibles translate that as counselor or comforter.

Studying Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance this morning, the root meaning of parakletos is “to call near  … be of good comfort.”

Imagine that. The God of the universe calls me to be near Him. I have never seen it put this way before, but I think His name could be translated Come Near to Me for Comfort.

Boy, who couldn’t use some comfort in life? All the troubles that we have to deal with; and here, the third person of the Trinity says, “Come to me for comfort.” I love it. I love Him. Who can imagine that God calls us to be near Him but He does! Imagine the strong arms of the Holy Spirit wrapping you in comfort. Wow.

Self-image is so important, especially to God our Father. So, it is important to realize that when our Father created Adam in His image, our Father wanted to look like Adam looked. When He created Eve, He wanted to look like Eve looked. So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them. Genesis 1:27 KJV.

Do you realize what that means for you and me? Before the beginning of time, God intended you and me to look the way we do, and He is thrilled to look like you and me! God is not disappointed in His looks when He sees you and me. Why are we?

He may be disappointed with our hearts, but whether we are short, average or tall; skinny, right-on or fat; clear skinned or pock-marked face; maimed or not, before God created anything, He found it thrilling to think of presenting Himself in the way you and I look.

So don’t worry about your looks. God did not see your looks as a drawback or negative to accomplishing His will through you. He knew beforehand the body into which He would place His Holy Spirit for those who believe in His Son. Be thrilled. Be thrilled. He plans great things through you and me. Listen to Him. Read His Word daily.

Exodus 25:21-22  New King James Version

²¹ You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the Testimony that I will give you. ²² And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel.

God would meet Moses on the mercy seat.

Every word God says, He covers with His mercy.

He never says anything that is not merciful and from truth and righteousness.

All our words should also flow through mercy before they come out of our lips.

Holy Spirit, help me to think and speak mercifully at all times, in Jesus’ name.