Today’s Reading: John 14:1-7; Psalm 21

“I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” – John 14:27

The disciples were unaware of what was ahead, but Jesus knew. He spoke the words he wanted them to remember when times ahead became difficult – TRUST ME. When you are faced with uncertainty or confusion, do not be troubled or afraid. Place your trust in me and I will give you peace of mind and heart.

YOU CAN TRUST ME.

Peace of mind and heart — what a wonderful gift! I can look back at so many moments in my life when the weight of uncertainty and the possibility of loss threatened to undo me, but then the Lord gave me a sense of peace that was unexplainable. Whatever is going on in your life right now, I pray for God to give you peace over your thoughts and anxiety, as well as peace over your fear and confusion. When your first response is to be angry, I pray that the Lord gives you the gift of calm as you trust in Him.

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.”

“No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” – John 14:1-5

Thomas was probably not the only disciple who was feeling a sense of panic or confusion, but he was the one willing to speak up and ask the question. They had spent the last three years following Jesus and now he was going on ahead of them. Instead of following him, they were going to have to wait patiently for Jesus to return. Jesus knew they were troubled, so he spoke words of truth over them, revealing his identity to them once again.

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” — John 14:6-7

Here is another amazing gift from Jesus — the experience of God! By placing our trust in Jesus, we find ourselves experiencing the way, the truth, and the life. We have always been known by God, but choosing to follow Jesus, the Way, opens up our lives to the covenant relationship for which we were created.

These last few years, God has taken me on a journey of faith and trust. When faced with an unfamiliar situation, I can hear God say, “Trust me.” When faced with a tough decision, I can hear God say, “Trust me.” When asked to let go of something God has given me, I can hear God say, “Trust me.” When asked to walk away from the known into the unknown, I can hear God say again, “Trust me.” So again this morning, I place my family in God’s hands and choose to trust Him with what is next. I choose faith in the God who keeps saying, “Trust me.” He is worthy of my trust and it is in Him that I put my hope.

I CAN TRUST YOU, GOD.

But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. – Psalm 56:3

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. – Proverbs 3:5-6

Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all day long. – Psalm 25:4-5

When what is ahead is unknown, we can submit to God’s sovereignty and say – I trust you, Lord. Show me your perfect ways and teach me how to walk the path you have set before me. Guide me in what is true and teach me what you need me to learn. You are my God and you are my Savior. I place my hope in you no matter what today brings. I trust you — all day long.

This morning, I pray that you hear God’s voice saying, “Trust me.” I pray the response of your heart is to say with confidence – You are God, my Savior, and my hope is in YOU all day long!

Praise the Lord! For he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. The Lord gives his people strength. – Psalm 28:6-8a

But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!” My future is in your hands. – Psalm 31:14-15a