“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me” (John 14:1).
Jesus has just told the apostles that He is leaving them. He has told them that one of them will betray Him. Judas has left—but the apostles still don’t know that it is Judas who will be the betrayer. Look at John 13: no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night”. Jesus has just told them they cannot follow Him where He is going next. He had told Peter, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But 
I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:31-32). Peter had whispered to John to find out “who” was the betrayer. Could he be afraid that it could be himself? Behind all the outward strength, behind that face of stoicism was Peter afraid he might be the one who would betray His Beloved Jesus?
PETER’S AGONY AND JESUS’ LOVE
Then as Peter in great devotional love has declared his loyalty; Jesus tells Peter that “the truth is that you, Peter will not even make it through the night before you deny me three times.” What agony must Peter have felt!! How troubled would his heart be!! His mind must at that moment have been filled with so much pain, so much turmoil that he could barely hear the rest of the words that would come. Have you ever been there? I have. I have fallen before God with such agony of heart—fearing my own failure. I have spent days and nights in agonizing prayer because of my own sin. I wanted to follow Him. Like Peter I have wanted with all my heart to be a shining light to a world in need of a Savior. Yet, I have failed at times. My words were not as kind as they should have been. My feet have stumbled along the path and I have fallen head on into the mud and the mire of sin. At those moments when my heart is crushed by the weight of my own failure.
There in the darkness of my own broken and humbled heart—the words of Jesus come. “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Trust me—I will cover you with my righteousness. Trust God—He has promised to complete the work in you.” “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. …, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14: 2-6).
5 REASONS NOT TO BE TROUBLED
1. “Peter you will fall, you will fail me—but I have prayed for you that “when you turn”—no doubts—not if you turn—when you turn. So don’t be troubled. “I’ve got this Peter—you will be ok.” You are not the betrayer. He says the same to you and me—for all who have accepted Him as their Savior. We can trust in Him, even when we cannot trust our own hearts.
2. “I go to prepare a place for you”—I am going to the cross, I will pay your penalty so that you have a place. I must do this for you. All of you who are here—I am preparing your place and I WILL come again for you. Remember Judas has already left the room, all who are left in the upper room with Jesus are His true disciples. When Jesus went to the cross, He also secured my mansion in heaven—my place with Him. At that same moment, He prepared a place for everyone who would ever believe in Him as their Savior and King.
3. “I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIGHT-no man comes to the Father, but by me.” I cannot do it on my own. I cannot work my way into heaven. It is a reality that breaks my heart at times; but, then it is that same truth that lifts my heart to rejoice at the magnitude of His LOVE and GRACE.
4. My heart, like Paul’s, may be saddened—we may groan to be covered with our spiritual bodies (2 Corinthians 5); yet, we can be assured that Jesus WILL return to take us home one day. My security is in HIM—thanks be to God.
5. When I sin—I am to run to my Father’s arms. I am to rush to have my “feet washed”; but, I am not to have my heart troubled with fear. One day, I will look like Him when I stand before God clothed in the Righteousness of Christ.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
Do you know Him? Then don’t let your heart be troubled. If you don’t know Christ as your Savior, would you come today? [bctt tweet=”Don’t let your heart be troubled with guilt, fear or shame; trust Jesus for your redemption and”][bctt tweet=”Trust God’s Promise to complete the work He began in you the moment you trusted Jesus as Savior “]
The song I chose for you today is Are You Washed In The Blood of the Lamb
The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header, today’s featured art and who designed my logo is Ronald Barba. You can purchase his art at http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/ronald+barba/all
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.