Scripture: John 14:1-6
1 "Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way where I am going." 5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me."
Meditation: Do you allow any troubles to rob you of God's peace? As much as we try to avoid it, we all inevitably encounter trouble and difficulties we find hard to endure. Jesus knew his disciples would have to face trials and persecution after he left them to return to his Father in heaven. Adversity can make us lose hope and become discouraged, or it can press us closer to God and to his promises. "It is the LORD who goes before you; he will be with you, he will not fail you or forsake you; do not fear or be dismayed" (Deuteronomy 31:8). Just as God went ahead of the Israelites in the wilderness to lead them safely to the promised land, Jesus tells his disciples that he is going ahead to prepare a place for them in God's house – a place of refuge, peace, and security, and everlasting happiness. God's house is never closed nor crowded – there is plenty of room for everyone who believes in God and in his beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The greatest fear in this present life – whether it be the separation and loss of life to a loved one or the threat to one's own life – is put to rest by Jesus' promise that we will live forever with him and the Father in their heavenly home with a great company of saints and angels who will be our friends forever as well.Do you know the way to the Father's house? Jesus expected his
disciples to know where he was going and what their ultimate
destination would be as well. Thomas, who was both a doubter and a
realist, spoke for all the disciples when he said, "we neither know
where you are going nor how we shall get there on our own?" If
you have never been to another land or traveled down an unfamiliar
road, you naturally want to know what your destination is and how to
get there safe and sound. During the middle of the 15 year civil war in
Lebanon, at a time when many believers had been isolated and cut off
from contact with outside Christians, I attempted to find a way to
visit. Since I had never traveled there before, nor spoke the language,
I was helpless without a guide. Fortunately a Christian friend from
Lebanon met me half-way and personally guided me safely through
unfamiliar territory, including some challenging road-blocks and
check-points along the way.
"Lord Jesus, you fill us with the joy of your saving presence and you give us the hope of everlasting life with the Father in Heaven. Show me the Father that I may always know and glorify him."
Psalm 2:2-11
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel
together, against the LORD and his anointed, saying,
3 "Let us burst their bonds asunder, and cast their cords from us."
4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the LORD has them in derision.
5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his
fury, saying,
6 "I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill."
7 I will tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my
son, today I have begotten you.
8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends
of the earth your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces
like a potter's vessel."
10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the LORD with fear, with trembling