Read John 14:1-31

What has the world given you?

When we stop to think about that, it’s ridiculous that we are attached to it at all, isn’t it?

I talk to God about that all of the time. I have to repent of my dependence and fondness for the world. Sometimes I hate it. Sometimes I’m pretty comfy with it.

But what has it given me? Temporary things. Relationships that don’t last. Fear of evil. Worry rooted in the instability of governments, finances, and all systems, really. They fail us. Our lack of control frustrates us. We’re distracted and lose sight of what matters the most.

Thank God, Jesus tells us He doesn’t give as the world gives.

Jesus makes a way for the things we love to last. Evil has no hold on Him. He is our Rock – the stability we long for. He never fails us. He is in control. He matters the most.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.”

He has given us an advocate. Through faith, the Spirit will help us navigate this world and teach us truth that will drown out the lies of our enemy. He will remind us of God’s love when the world hates us. He will never leave us.

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Jesus has the world by the tail and we get to ride along. He’s done it. His work is finished. He has done everything His Father commanded Him to do. The plan was/is perfect, and we are recipients of the gift of eternal life.

The world has never, nor will ever, see anything that compares to it.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.”

The world does its best to rob us of peace. But can it be taken from us? When we have the assurance of our salvation through Jesus and the help of the Advocate, how can we wallow in unrest? We have everything we need to hold us secure as we navigate this world.

And we’re forgetful. We forget the power of God. We forget we’re not alone. We forget that, even if the world does all kinds of crazy things around us and to us, God still has us. We forget that the prince of this world has already failed. He will not prevail.

But our God does!

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.”

This is a discipline. An act of faith.

What are we allowing to control our view of the world? Where does our faith lie?

Jesus is preparing a new world for us. If it wasn’t so, He wouldn’t have said it. What a glorious truth to unravel our troubled hearts!

Let’s set our hearts on things above. Let’s love God and people. And let’s lower our heads onto our pillows at night in peace.

He’s got us and this big old world and nothing will ever change that.

Shelly Eberly