“Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” – John 14:27
Finding the Way
There are so many alleged paths to God that I can’t even count them all, but Jesus said there is only one way, saying, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). The Apostle Peter said, “There is #salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). It’s not so amazing that there is only one way to God but that there is even any way! This way was made possible by Jesus, and since He made the way and shows the way, we can find the way. Without Him, no way! He isn’t a way but the way!
Taking You to Himself
Before Jesus was to go to Calvary, He knew His disciples were troubled, and He told them, “Let not your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:1-2). This gave the disciples something tangible to hold onto. If Jesus was going to prepare a place for them in the kingdom, He will also “come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:3). Shouldn’t that calm your #fears, knowing for certain that Jesus is coming to take you to a place so “that where I am you may be also”?
Always With You
The very last words Jesus said before ascending to heaven were, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). God’s Word reassures His children that “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). But do we really believe that? Maybe Isaiah can give us something helpful, where God spoke to Israel, “#Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). Even though this was written to Israel, can it be any less true for us today?
God Is for You
If you have never #repented and #trusted in Christ, God is against you (John 3:36), but if you’ve been born again, then Paul asks, “If God is for us, who can be against us” (Romans 8:31)? If God is your Father, you have nothing to fear and can say, “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me” (Psalm 118:6)? Therefore, Jesus can say, “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
Conclusion
Jesus spoke to His disciples more about worry, #anxiety, trouble, and fear than any other subject–probably because they needed it. Their Master and Teacher, the Lord God Himself, was now going to die and return to the Father. They must have felt like orphans or looked like frightened, lost puppies. But if Jesus tells them to not be troubled or worried, then isn’t He telling us the very same thing?
by Jack Wellman
If God were not gracious and patient with His people, we would have no hope, for we are sinners who routinely fall short. At the same time, our #sinfulness is seen clearly in how often we take God's grace for granted, not living in thankful obedience for His provision but complaining against Him and not seeking His will. Today and always, let us seek to live in gratitude for all of God's blessings and never take His patience for granted.
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