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Do you believe Jesus is trustworthy?
You probably answered that question with a resounding, “YES!” But, is this
vibrant faith evident in your response to heartaches and adversity? In John
14:2-4, Jesus tells His disciples that He will prepare a place for them in
heaven. He also promises to return one day and bring them to the glorious
mansion prepared for them. When that happens, all of the world’s troubles
will fall away, completely replaced by Jesus’ preparations in heaven.
That sounds like wonderful news! Yet, isn’t it interesting how Jesus couches
His promise? He tells them, “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in
God, believe also in Me” (John 14:1). “Troubled”? Why would Jesus frame the
promise of heaven with an encouragement about trouble?
The Lord intimately knows the power of adversity. Because He experienced the
full range of human emotion, He knows hardships can easily distract us from
our faith in God. When He spoke the words in John 14, the idea of betrayal
was fresh on the disciples’ minds. (John 13:21-27) Jesus realized they would
soon be heading toward even more heartache than that (John 14:19-29). So, He
gives them a glimpse of the finish line.
Jesus’ words to the disciples are a reminder that the “here and now” is not
all we have to look toward. No matter what life throws at us, we know we’ll
be heading for heaven in the end. At that time, the difficulty will be over.
What remains will be a celebration… that lasts forever.
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