Trust God

“Don’t get lost in despair; believe in God and keep on believing in Me. 2 My Father’s home is designed to accommodate all of you. If there were not room for everyone, I would have told you that. I am going to make arrangements for your arrival. 3 I will be there to greet you personally and welcome you home, where we will be together. 4 You know where I am going and how to get there.” [John 14:1-4]

Who hasn’t got lost in despair on occasion? I know I have. The news headlines certainly don’t help, as they overwhelm us with what is not right with the world. We are inundated with horrific news daily; news that sucks the life out of us and makes us feel as if we have no ability to make a difference. Jesus had just shared news with the disciples that sucked the air out of the room. He said one among them was going to betray Jesus. This after he already shared that he was going to suffer and die and that they were not going to be able to follow him to where he was going. This news was not easy and that is why Jesus said, “Don’t get lost in despair.” I appreciate this translation of the Greek because when we get lost in despair, we can’t see a way forward. Getting lost in despair is like spiraling water going down the drain, as life and energy drain out of us. “Believe in God,” says Jesus. Yet an even better translation of this from The Message is, “You trust God, don’t you?” Jesus is reminding his disciples to trust what they already know deep in their hearts. God is for us. God love us. God will not abandon us even when life is hard. Let us heed Jesus’ compassionate words to his disciples in their hour of deepest need.

Prayer

Loving God, help me to trust in you no matter my circumstances. Help me to trust that you love me period. Help me to trust that you love me when I gather with others in worship and service, and fellowship and study. Help me trust that your love has the final word and that your love is my true home. Amen.