CURE FOR THE TROUBLED HEART

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” John 14:1

In his Exposition of the Bible, Dr. John Gill (1697-1771) wrote that the second part of this verse “may be read and interpreted different ways.” In my very simple understanding of biblical Greek, I can see several ways the words can be translated as well; and I believe all of them are true, being applied in various ways for Christians with differing perspectives in understanding according to their particular need. For today’s devotional, we’ll only focus on one way of understanding the verse: “the former is an exhortation, the latter a proposition” (Dr. Gill). In other words, the Lord Jesus encourages His disciples to believe in God, to continue to trust in the God of the Scriptures, and they will believe also in [Him]. Their hearts were troubled because the Lord had just told them He was going away (John 13:33) so He gives them the remedy. The cure for a troubled heart is still as powerfully effective for every disciple today. When we trust in our sovereign God, who is faithful to who He is and what He has said, the God of truth whose eternal plan is to be glorified in, through and by His only begotten Son, we will believe also in the Lord Jesus. He said these words before He went to the cross. Sometimes the truth of the atonement can be overwhelming. At times, His return seems so distant. Often, situations and circumstances can be difficult and distracting. Regardless of the trials, tribulations, persecutions, or hatred from the world we suffer, if we trust in the all-powerful, self-sufficient God of Scripture, the result will be enduring trust in Christ’s power to help us overcome, as well as trusting His promise to come again to fulfill our salvation and join us forever to Himself.

The nature of our sovereign Lord
Keeps us grounded so
We trust in Christ to keep His word
To come and take us home.

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Today's M'Cheyne Reading Schedule: 3/24 - Ex 35; John 14; Prov 11; Eph 4

If you don’t have one, get a free PDF copy of Robert Murray M’Cheyne’s “Daily Bread” Bible Reading Calendar by Clicking Here.

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