"Do not let your hearts be troubled." John 14:1

Our Lord's disciples, that last night together, were distressed and tense. They sensed that something was about to happen, but what it was they did not know. They were aware that the hatred of Jesus' enemies was hot against Him; yet they knew also that He was mightier than they. Still He had said that He was about to leave them, and He had said also that they could not follow where He was going. Therefore they faced something unknown and were filled with dread.

So we are sometimes fearful. We, too, are surrounded by the unknown. We, too, do not know from day to day what lies before us. Often we are afraid because we know that some things we particularly dread may happen. Like the disciples, we fear that it will be more than we can bear. We cannot even conceive what we should do if certain disasters were to occur. We are worried.

Life can, indeed, sometimes bring misfortunes. It did for those disciples in the sorrow-filled days to come. Yet just as our Lord told them, He tells us: "My peace I give you ... Do not let your hearts be troubled" (John 14:27). "Trust in God; trust also in Me" (John 14:1). No matter what happens, we cannot perish but are sure of our salvation through the cross.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, help us believe in You. Speak to our hearts, too, and give us the grace not to be troubled. Amen.

(Taken from "Words of Promise, copyright 1996 (out of print), Concordia Publishing House. For information on other devotional materials, call 1-800-325-3040.)

Today's Bible Readings: 1 Chronicles 17-19    1 Corinthians 13

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