God’s Word for Today: May 7, 2023
“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 (NIV)
Dear friends, on this beautiful day, I bring you a message of hope and encouragement from God’s Word. In these uncertain times, when the world around us is filled with chaos and confusion, it’s easy to feel troubled and anxious. We may be worried about our health, our finances, our relationships, or our future. We may be struggling with fear, doubt, or despair. But God wants us to know that we don’t have to face these challenges alone. He is with us, and He has a plan for our lives.
In John 14, Jesus speaks to His disciples just before He is about to be crucified. He knows that they are afraid and confused about what is going to happen to Him and to them. But He wants to assure them that He is going to prepare a place for them in His Father’s house. He wants them to trust Him and believe in Him, even when everything around them seems to be falling apart.
Jesus’ words are just as relevant for us today as they were for His disciples back then. We too are called to believe in Him and to trust Him, no matter what challenges we may be facing. We too are called to have faith in God’s promises, even when we can’t see how they will be fulfilled.
So how can we apply Jesus’ message to our lives today? Here are three key lessons that we can learn from John 14:1-3:
Don’t let your hearts be troubled
The first thing that Jesus says to His disciples is, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” He knows that they are feeling anxious and afraid, but He doesn’t want them to stay that way. He wants them to have peace in their hearts, even in the midst of the storm.
Likewise, God wants us to have peace in our hearts, even when the world around us is chaotic. He wants us to trust Him and to know that He is in control. As the Psalmist says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). When we put our trust in God, we can have peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
Believe in God and in Jesus
The second thing that Jesus says to His disciples is, “You believe in God; believe also in me.” Jesus wants His disciples to understand that He is one with the Father, and that He is the only way to the Father (John 14:6). He wants them to have faith in Him, even when He is no longer physically present with them.
Likewise, God wants us to believe in Him and in Jesus. He wants us to have faith in His love, His power, and His wisdom. He wants us to trust that He has a plan for our lives, and that His plan is good. As the writer of Hebrews says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).
Have hope in God’s promises
The third thing that Jesus says to His disciples is, “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?” Jesus wants His disciples to know that He is going to prepare a place for them in His Father’s house. He wants them to have hope in God’s promises, even when they can’t see how those promises will be fulfilled.
Likewise, God wants us to have hope in His promises. He wants us to believe that He has a plan for our lives, and that His plan is good. He wants us to know that He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), and that nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39). He wants us to have faith that He is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28), even when we can’t see it.
In conclusion, dear friends, let us take comfort in Jesus’ words in John 14:1-3. Let us not let our hearts be troubled, but instead let us put our trust in God and in Jesus. Let us believe in His promises, even when we can’t see how they will be fulfilled. And let us have hope in His plan for our lives, knowing that He is with us every step of the way. May God bless you and keep you always. Amen.
Shalom
