Believe!

Believe!

DO NOT let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God; believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me. John 14:1 AMPC

Jesus was speaking to his disciples about the events to come: his death at the hands of the Jews and his resurrection and life. These were a bit difficult for the disciples to understand, and I am sure they couldn't comprehend how a mighty teacher and their master would go through such disgrace and shame. Even Peter spoke with so much passion, claiming he won't fall away, even if everyone else deserted Jesus. We know how that turned out. Against that backdrop are today's words; Jesus says: do not let your hearts be troubled.

I have the power to determine what impresses my heart. Thoughts, desires and emotions are part of daily life, but their effect and impact is determined by me. If I allow negative thoughts fester and take root in me, how can I turn around and blame God for how those thoughts affect my life? So, Jesus counsels: guard your heart against negative thoughts. The reason why you have the ability and grace to do this is because you have faith in God. Faith in God and fear/uncertainty cannot exist together in the same heart at the same time. If indeed I believe in God, I have all I need to survive whatever comes my way. If I do not have God in me, it does not matter what else I have.

Just as God is to be believed, so also does Jesus make the same claim on my heart. I cannot claim to know God and reject Jesus. The same reverence I claim for God is also to be accorded to Jesus, as Jesus is the ecpression of God's power, mercy and grace. Through Jesus, we have redemption from sin and the hope of eternity is sealed through faith in His finished work. That is the basis of joy, and the sole cure for a troubled heart. When I am sure and certain of where I will end up, nothing temporal or earthly can hold my heart in fear. His time of favour is here.