There are some chapter divisions I wish were not there. We left our last devotion striping away our self-reliance and humbling us to His will. Oh the wonderful grace of a merciful God that does not end at that chapter but despite ourselves He sustains us and allows us to rest our hearts and trust in Him. I wish and pray now that I believe this. These words seem so hypocritical for me to write for I struggle most and need this rest from Him. I pray it pleases His Spirit to touch these words first to my heart and that others despite the author may grow and find comfort in them.
Extra Credit: Today the bonus material is not a quick read but rather an invaluable new resource to hear the gospel. Todds Road Grace Church in Lexington, Ky has a new site with updated audio of sermons from Todd Nibert. They post new ones after each sermon and this is an excellent addition to anybodys favorites. The link again is http://www.toddsroadgracechurch.com .
Jhn 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
- Is the also in this verse in the imperative or indicative mood?
It should be noted that Christ is not only speaking to these 11 but to us also. We seen at the end of the previous chapter one of their brethren they knew betray their Lord, they were told they would not be able to follow any further, and finally Peter is humbled and striped of his self-reliance. We are left seeing and facing sin and realizing we are helpless to the flesh. And so many find today; disappointment in men and even brethren, difficulty to follow or obey the Lord, and easily depending of self and falling victim to the flesh. There are Christians with Gods hand upon them working and molding them with grace and mercy, humbled in pain and suffering. Much like Peter we are left seeing and facing sin and realizing we are helpless to the flesh. AH, but read on my friend for not only does He bring the sorrows and pain that we may grow but He provides the peace that we may rest. Let not your heart be troubled, we need only to believe in Him. The best and only true way to rid yourself of fear and depression is to believe God. A faith not necessarily trusting that He will provide, but believing God. Believing He has already accomplished your eternal peace. Believing He has already provided for your means and needs. Believing that all things have already been determined and placed that they may work for your good and His glory, to those who love God and are called by His will and purpose. I mean, dear reader, you do believe God to have been made flesh, to have died for the sins of His elect, to have rose again and ascended to heaven, and to sit now as your intercession and preserve you to the end. These things are written, have been revealed, and we believe. We say we believe completely that redemption is in His hands and He choose a people, that I am utterly depraved and there is absolutely nothing I can contribute or do for my salvation, we depend and rest entirely on His finished work and lay our souls at His mercy. We believe these things and trust Him with our eternal security why can we not release our will and fear and trust Him completely for our security for the next day, week, or few months. If we truly believe God and trust Him with the greatest of things, believe also in Him now that He will provide the smallest insignificant things. Ask for faith that He has not only provided the trials but the means by grace to sustain you. We may not understand and we loathe ourselves for our unbelief and fear but read on, He does not leave His children in this condition. Let not your heart be troubled. Believe in God, believe in His sovereignty and will, believe in His infinite wisdom and power, believe in His unchanging faithfulness and wondrous love. Believe God. (Rom 8:28)
God may not give us an easy journey to the Promised Land, but He will give us a safe one. (Horatius Bonar)
