“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 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? 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.” (John 14:1-3)
Anxious, worried, burdened, concerned? Here’s how Jesus trades your troubles for peace.
Jesus was troubled so you are not alone
Betrayed and condemned by people and forsaken by His Father, Jesus, the Lord of Glory, was troubled for us. He was “troubled in spirit” as He foretold Judas’s betrayal (John 13:21). He was troubled in Gethsemane as He prayed, “Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). He was troubled as He bore our rightful punishment on the cross, crying out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46).
Because Jesus endured all of this, in the midst of every trouble, all who turn to Him in repentance and trust may know peace.
Jesus is preparing a place for you in heaven
Imagine a king’s son, his father’s heir and the ruler of his kingdom, returning to his father’s house and to his proper place on his throne. The father welcomes all his son’s friends. Whatever uncertainties you’re facing, this is your assurance: if you know and love Jesus, the Father’s home is also your home, for in Christ the Father adopts each believer as His child. The family inheritance is ours, kept in heaven for us. Within His house there is room for all who trust in Him.
Jesus will return one day to take you home
Sorrow turns to joy when we anticipate Jesus fulfilling His promise to His disciples: “I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:3). Jesus will come to take us home with Him, never to be separated in any way again. Through every trial and difficulty, the people of God can look forward to that day with a sure and certain hope.
Make no mistake, we will have trouble in this world. But take heart! In Jesus, peace is our portion. Because He has overcome the world, we need never be overcome by it (John 16:33). Today, will you ask God to trade your troubles for His peace?
Prayer for peace
Lord, today I choose to believe, to trust, and to hope in you and the precious promises you have given me in your Word. I believe you bore the weight of my punishment and pain on the cross so I could have peace with You. I trust you are preparing a place for me so I can enjoy the privileges of heaven forever. I look forward to the day you will take me home to be with you for eternity. I know you overcame the world so I wouldn’t be overcome by it. I place my concerns, worries and troubles in your care and trust you to give me your unshakable peace.
Amen.