“Confirmation, Consolation and Comfort”
By Rev. Everett R. Kimble, Sr.
Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. (Luke 22:39-43)
When I was about 13 or 14 years old the church my family attended bought the land just across the street from our house and began to build a new sanctuary. I had never witnessed a building going up from start to finish, so this was very exciting to me. I would wake up in the morning eager to learn what new machine I would get to watch, truck I would see zooming in, or what new trade I could observe someone perform. I hung around so much that the workers got used to seeing me there and would sometimes invite me to lend a hand. I loved it.
When the roof and the wall had finally gone up, I would often sit in the sanctuary and enjoy the newness of it all. When the church was just a few weeks from completion is when it all came together for me spiritually. I would sit there at the end of the day all alone, after the workers had all gone home and just before someone would come by to lock up and bask in the glory of what I felt was God’s presence. Those quite moments where my first real encounters with the Spirit of God but after everything was complete and church was back to business as usual those moments grew fewer and farther between. I continued to look for any opportunity to recapture my time in His presence.
As I longed for those moments of solitude over the years God has proven that He is here and He hears me. Quiet moments with God have sustained and carried me, and what I have learned is that anywhere and everywhere is His sanctuary. At home, in the car, in my office, on the street and even in a crowd I can just drift away into the spirit and commune with God right where I am. Being able to connect like this is especially a blessing whenever I am in a situation where I need encouragement from God right then.
In this passage Jesus is fast approaching the moment He would complete the work of the cross and it was agonizing. He slips away to find a place of peace where He could talk with the Father and find what He needed, Confirmation, Consolation, and Comfort. Confirmation that He was fulfilling the will of the Father, consolation for the impending pain and suffering, and the comfort of knowing that everything would be just fine. Jesus received all of this while spending time alone with God and here is your encouragement for today. You need time alone in prayer and with the Father. In His presence is the one place where you can have a conversation about everything you need to help you press on. I encourage you today to slip away into your sanctuary, have a little talk with Jesus and receive confirmation, consolation, and comfort for what lies ahead. Have a blessed and spirit filled Friday!
