Peace for a Troubled Heart
I sense among God’s people troubled hearts. Of course, who could blame anyone at this point – just a pandemic, election, people sick close to us, schools closed and many churches having too as well. Not to mention seeing the capital look like a military base instead of a place of government.
Joined with the unknown of what before mentioned government will do with new administration. It is enough to trouble the strongest of hearts.
This is not new among the followers of Jesus. As a matter of fact, the men who were closest to Jesus when He lived on this earth, had a moment when their hearts were tossed like the waves of the sea.
In John 14, Jesus shares some truth with these men that is not just for them but is just as relevant for us today. He said to them, do not let your hearts be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in me. The word Jesus used speaks of mental anguish, having our mind get tossed around like a bobber on a cane pole. Just going up and down based on the way the water goes.
Jesus could see it in their eyes, right down into their souls. How about you? How is your soul, how is your heart, is there a battle in your mind right now? Guess what, Jesus can see right into our souls as well.
And He says to us just like He said to His disciples that day – do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust Me. You trust God, trust me. Place your worries, cares, burdens in my hands. Trust me with the unknown, trust me with the future, trust me with the present, trust me with your life.
How and can it be true that we can have peace for our troubled hearts.
The answer is YES!! A hundred times YES. Why? Jesus!!!
It is all because of Jesus. Our peace is not in a program, a plan (no matter which politician has one), a process or even enough power or provision. It is found only in a person. No, not a person that is limited by humanity. It is found in the only person to defeat death, hell and the grave and His sweet name is Jesus.
And He says, the Lord Jesus Christ says – don’t let your heart be troubled.
We have peace because of Jesus. John 14-16 is known as the Upper Room Discourse because it was, wait for it….it was shared in an upper room. It was only the 11 disciples; Judas having left to betray Jesus. So, it was those closest to him.
It was as if he said, “men, I see your afraid, I see your heart is troubled. Please, draw close to me. Yes, I am going to the cross and yes, I will die but I will rise again." (this comes from chapter 13!)
He closes out this intimate time, saying to them: I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” (Jn 16:33) He is saying, “I will give you peace, take courage, I have conquered the word and as such, so can you! And everything I have told you will help you realize all of this.”
So what did Jesus say during this discourse?
I won’t to be able to go into detail on each one but let me encourage you to follow through in the passage and let God speak peace to your heart and be encouraged in Jesus even in these uncertain times and find peace for troubled heart!!
In Jesus we have:
· Place: Heaven is real, and we are going there one day (Jn 14:1-3)
· Path: Jesus is our way and the only to heaven and to God (Jn 14:6)
· Prayer: we can talk to God because of Jesus (Jn 14:13-14/15:7,16/16:23.26)
· Person of the Holy Spirit: we have the Comforter to be with us. (Jn 14:16-18)
· Presence of Jesus in Us: He makes His home in our heart (Jn 14:23-25)
· Peace: We have the Peace of Jesus. (Jn 14:27/16:33)
· Produced Fruit: As we abide in Jesus, He produces fruit through us (Jn 15:1-8)
· Praise: Jesus says He spoke these things that we might have His Joy! (Jn 15:11)
· Power: We have courage to overcome because He did! (Jn 16:33)
Take time to go deeper in these truths and let take root in your hearts. Believe in Jesus and His word and in doing so, in Him, we can overcome and find peace for our troubled hearts. Amen, because of Jesus we are overcomers! Love you all and praying for you all!!
Love in Christ,
Pastor Michael