Trust In God
John 14:27
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. [NIV}
Introduction
The fact that Jesus admonishes us, “Do not let your hearts be troubled,” indicates that certain things we go through will indeed cause us trouble (worry, fear, doubt). Challenges we face can prompt this type of response within our hearts – our soul (mind, imagination, intellect, will, and emotions).
Death is one of those challenges. Death attacks our hearts when we come to the Funeral Home chapel or the local Church to say farewell to a loved one. Dear causes us to worry about whether our loved ones will see Jesus; Death forces us to fear whether we will have adequate resources to cover our expenses; Death causes us to doubt whether we can make it through this challenge.
Jesus knows that death will attack us, especially in times like these. And Jesus does not shy away from the reality of death’s grip on our souls. Indeed, Jesus knows, and Jesus understands that death has invaded our mind, imagination, intellect, will, and emotions. Indeed, Jesus knows that every facet of our beings has been impacted by death. Yet, despite this knowledge, Jesus says, “You can control to what degree you will allow death to be successful in its attack.” Jesus says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”
Jesus is speaking to his disciples about his impending death. Jesus is trying to prepare his disciples for his departure from their lives; he lets them know that they will no longer have his physical presence.
Jesus knows that when he is killed, hung on the cross by the Roman Empire like a common thief, and death will challenge his disciples to become enthralled with grief, despair, and hopelessness. Jesus says, “Do not let your heart be troubled.” This word, “let,” means “to allow; to give in to; to surrender.” In other words, Jesus places the response to his death totally in the hands of his disciples.
Jesus says to them they can respond with faith rather than be overwhelmed by this calamity. Jesus says you do not have to give in to trouble, not even trouble of the spirit and soul. Jesus says you have the power to respond with the knowledge that God is still in control.
Jesus says to them, “Trust in God.” Trust means “to confide in; rely upon; surrender to.” Jesus says to them surrender this situation to God. Let Go and Let God. There is a secret in offering your troubles, your challenges to God. Jesus says confide in God – place all your worries, doubts, and fears at the feet of God. Psalms 34:19 declares, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers them out of them all.” Jesus says, tell yourself this too shall pass; God will deliver me, so I will trust him and praise his Holy Name.
· When you’re down, trust God.
· When you’re afraid, trust God.
· When doubt fills your heart, trust God.
· When you don’t think you’re going to make it through, trust God.
· Trust God – confide in, rely on, and surrender this situation to God. Hallelujah!
Not only that, but Jesus says, “Trust also in me.” Jesus tells them to “rely upon” what he has told them. Jesus, you see, has proven that he is trustworthy. Every word that Jesus spoke, the Lord God has upheld. Jesus has proven that he can do exceedingly abundantly above everything they could ever ask or think. Jesus has proven that he can raise the dead; He rose the widow of Nain’s son; He rose Lazarus, His friend from the grave after he’d been dead four days; He raised Jairus’s daughter; so Jesus had power over death.
Jesus said, “also trust in me.” Just as God can be trusted, certainly his only begotten son can be trusted. Lord, have mercy! Jesus said, “Confide in me.” The hymn writer wrote, “I must tell Jesus all of my troubles; I can not bear these burdens alone. I must tell Jesus; I must tell Jesus, Jesus can help me Jesus alone.” Jesus is our helper in times of trouble; he is the bishop and shepherd of our souls. Jesus can and will help; he’ll help each of you right now regardless of the situation you may be facing. Can I get a witness?
Beloved, even now as tears run down your cheeks, you can trust God, and you can trust the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus has overcome death, hell, and the grave! Facing his fears, and stood his test. He suffered, bled, and died on Calvary’s Cross. He hung his head in the locks of his shoulders and died. He hung there from the sixth to the ninth hour; He hung there until the Sun refused to shine and the moon dripped in blood; He hung there until the dead got up and walked the earth, and the centurion looked at him and said, “Truly, this must be the Son of God.”
Jesus rose with all power in his hands, and one of these days – it won’t be very long. You will hear the trumpet sound; you will see the dead in Christ rise first; you will see those of us who remain to rise with them to meet the Lord in the earth.” Lord, have mercy!
Not only that, but someone will begin to shout, O death, where is thy sting; O grave where is thy victory.” Because Jesus Christ can be trusted; Because God can be trusted. My friends, you don’t have to worry; you don’t have to fret; you don’t have to doubt God and his Word. I urge you this morning to let go and let God – he will, I said, he will give you joy in your sorrow. He will provide you with beauty for ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
He will restore your joy to such a degree that men will call you “oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” In other words, the world will talk about how good your God has been. When they see you rebound after this tragedy with your joy, peace, and swagger, then men and women will declare just how good God is. Can I get a witness?
“Do not let your heart be troubled” because you serve a God who sits high and looks low. You serve a God who promised never to leave you, never to leave you alone. Hallelujah! You serve a God who will lead you through this valley of the shadow of death. You do a God who will ensure goodness and mercy follow you all the days of your life. Lord, have understanding!
You serve a God who is right there by your side, and so this morning, let go and let God. The0 pm fact of the matter is you can depend on God- trust Him. Hallelujah!
