Holy comfort leads the believer to regularly examine themselves honestly, while false joy encourages the hypocrite to avoid such self-examination. True consolation is lasting, fixed in the heart by the Holy Spirit so that it is never completely lost, and it is so strong that it overcomes almost all fear and sorrow. If a believer loses sight of their relationship with Christ, they may lose the sense of joy, but the root of that joy still remains. On the other hand, the hypocrite’s sense of comfort vanishes even if they still think they have God’s favor—the joy itself turns empty. The more a believer experiences holy comfort, the more their duty becomes their delight. Renewed in mind and heart, the clearer they see God’s beauty in Christ, and the more firmly they believe in his love for them, the more they love and delight in God. As they recognize the infinite goodness and holiness of God, and truly believe in His redeeming love, their approval and joy in God grows. The more they are able to trust that God loves them in Christ, the richer their spiritual comfort. And the more they rejoice in God, the more they delight in Him as their own Father.

~ John Colquhoun

The Chestnut Mare