5.27.2026 - Scott Elgersma
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
The Holy Spirit as Comforter
Acts 10:19-20
As you enter your time with God today, take a moment to quiet your mind. Breathe this prayer: “Come, Lord Jesus, come. Fill me with your Spirit. Open my heart that you might share your words of life with me.”
We read today from Acts 10:19-20. Read the passage now or at the end of this devotion. What does this passage teach us about the Holy Spirit as Comforter?
A friend of mine, Dane Moll, decided to do something a little risky recently. He likes old cars and has a couple that he has collected over the years including an old two-seater Ford Model T from the 1920s. He decided that it would be fun to drive the entire Lincoln Highway, a trip of over 3,100 miles from Lincoln Park in San Francisco to Times Square in New York City in the Model T that he calls “Betty”. His wife Val would join him in the Midwest so he would complete the first 2,000 miles or so on his own.
He was looking forward to the adventure and connecting with friends along the way. He was also allowing the trip to be the continuation of the process of lament and healing from what happened with Nick.
Their son Nick was a college student at Calvin University home for Christmas Break in 2021. He was gregarious, outgoing, a friend to many, and a young man who loved Jesus while living on the edge of some rules and expectations. He and some friends were walking through the downtown of Visalia, CA where Nick lived and during an altercation with some others, Nick was struck and ultimately died from a blow to the head. This senseless tragedy rocked Dane and Val to their core. Their faith in Christ remains steadfast, but grief can consume one at any given moment. Dane anticipated many instances of navigating that space of grief and thinking of Nick often during his travels.
After arriving in San Francisco, journey started with some challenges over the first few days, but nothing that some roadside repair or help from strangers could not fix. The road to Tahoe was especially challenging as, at times, Betty would only progress up the hill at 6-8 miles an hour. Even on the flats, 50 miles an hour was pushing the envelope for what this century old car could handle.
Snowy, stormy weather started in Nevada and Utah. Betty has a half-windshield, but no side windows. The roof is a rag top. Dane wore gloves, a beanie and a heavy jacket to survive the exposure to the elements. The cold also affected Betty’s performance. Her old engine did not like freezing temperatures.
On crossing the border into Wyoming, the grade to Evanston got the best of Betty. Dane was stuck on the side of the road. Thankfully, Model T’s are noticed by others driving past and a truck with two men stopped and asked if Dane needed some help. They told him that they ‘shouldn’t’ tow him into the town because it was against the policy of the company they worked for. They then proceeded to ask Dane not to take pictures while they attached the tow strap of their truck to Betty and brought her into Evanston where a warm meal and hotel awaited a freezing Dane.
“What do I owe you guys for the tow? You have no idea how grateful I am.”
“You don’t owe us a thing. We’re glad to help.”
“I’m Dane by the way, and your names are?”
“He’s John…and I’m Nick.”
Look at God at work. Another Nick living on the edge of rules. Another Nick bringing blessing.
“While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”
As we see in this text from Acts 10, God has been creating those sorts of appointments for a long time. 3 Gentile men, 2 servants and a soldier sent from Cornielius at the prompting of an angel come to the house where Peter is staying. Because we are not 1st century Jews, the distinctives of these men are a little lost on us.
The are not Jewish. One of them is a soldier of the power oppressing the Jews. If Peter interacts with them according to Jewish orthodoxy, he becomes unclean and until he is purified, he is barred from worship at the temple. In the meantime, Peter has a dream about “Gentile things”, food that is impure for Jews to eat. The dream tells him 3 times that he can approach and eat. “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.
A Spirit ordained meeting at the edge of “human rules and expectations” that brings God glory and shows Peter the comfort that Christ is leading the way ahead.
This is what God so often does when we tune our hearts to listen to the voice of the Spirit. God brings us comfort in the unexpected, unplanned, and unorthodox especially when we have other plans.
May the Spirit meet you and give you comfort today and always. May he move through others at the side of the road, or in the cubicle adjacent. May whatever surprises come remind you of his great love for you, and may each unexpected moment bring him glory.
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn his smile towards you and give you his peace.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
I love you all. Blessings.
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To contact the author, please email: elgersma@therivercrc.com