Daily Strength - When Troubled

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God^[a];believe also in me. ² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ⁴ You know the way to the place where I am going.” (John 14 vs 1-4)

I have read these verses from John 14 many times to people over the years. They are verses that we often associate with funerals or times when a believer is approaching death, and of course words like these can bring huge comfort at such times.

However when Jesus first spoke these words to His disciples He wasn’t preparing them for their death, He was actually preparing them for His. Jesus knew that He would soon go to the cross and that after His resurrection He would return to His Father in heaven. In these verses Jesus anticipates that His disciples are going to find life troubling, and they are going to to find it troubling without being able to see Him standing beside them.

Jesus tells His disciples that He is leaving them for a purpose, to prepare a home, and that one day He would come back for them. 

These are many things that trouble us in this world. Jesus reminds that the here and now is not for ever. Even today Jesus is getting a place ready for those who trust in Him. A place called home. One day he will come back and take us there. Do not let Your heart be troubled. Today, trust in Him. 

Prayer: Lord Jesus You know the things that trouble me. Thank You that one day You will take me home. Help me to keep trusting as I wait for You. Amen.