Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me… And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth… you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you…” (John 14:1, 16-17).
From this Scripture learn: (1) Jesus doesn’t want us to be troubled. (2) Faith in God and Jesus is the preventive for a troubled heart. (3) Jesus entreated the Father concerning our need for help and the Father sent us the Holy Spirit as a Helper, (Other translations say “Comforter” or “Counselor,” who will be with us forever.
Someone is sure to say that Jesus was talking to His apostles and that what He said does not apply to us. I must reply that, while the apostles were endowed with greater powers for the original work they had to do, the New Testament abounds with references to the Spirit’s presence and help in the lives of all those who “walk according to the Spirit” (Rom. 8:4). If you have any doubt, get your concordance and look up the references to the Holy Spirit. You will find that He has been given to us as a gift, that He indwells us, fills, comforts and guides us. The question is not whether He given us the Holy Spirit but whether we are being led by the Holy Spirit. (See 2008 essays #33 and #34 where I dealt with all the New Testament verses that mention the Holy Spirit in our lives. If you didn’t keep copies and want them, let me know and I will send them to you.) That being established let us turn to the three statements above.
1. Jesus doesn’t want us to be troubled. He came as the Prince of Peace, bringing peace to the world, especially to His followers. If we are not at peace with ourselves, our families and our associates it is because we do not “pursue the things that make for peace” (Rom. 14:19). When Jesus said to the waves, “Peace, be still,” they obeyed Him. We are instructed to “Be of one mind, live in peace” (2 Cor. 13:11). If we are to be free from trouble and enjoy the peace Jesus has for us, we too must obey His voice and calm down.
2. Faith in God and Jesus is the remedy for troubled hearts. Any time we can truly trust our Lord to give us freedom and peace, He will do it. The deficiency is not on His part but on ours. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your minds and hearts in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7).
3. Jesus entreated the Father concerning our need for help and the Father sent the Holy Spirit to be with us and in us forever. Stop doubting this and trust Jesus who said, “I will ask” and “He will give.” There is no alternative. We will either take Jesus at His word or else live with the burden of doubt and trouble.
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