Words from the Rock
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.
John 14:1–4 NIV
These have to be some of the most reassuring words ever spoken. Jesus gives a priceless promise that can carry us through the tough times. He gives us his word that we’ll be with him in heaven someday. But first he tells us not to let our hearts be troubled, which basically means don’t be afraid and don’t worry. Jesus knows we’ll all face some hard times, times when it will be easy to be consumed with fear and worry. But he tells us to trust God and to trust him, and then he tells us a little about the place he’s getting ready for us.
Jesus doesn’t go into much detail about what heaven will be like. But consider the vast creativity of God and how beautifully he’s made the earth, and consider some of our favorite places on this planet (like amazing mountains, gorgeous beaches, mystical rainforests, or tropical paradises). If we multiply those natural wonders many times over (because heaven will totally outshine earth), we might begin to have a tiny speck of an idea of how incredible our next home will be.
And the promise doesn’t end there. No, Jesus wants us to know that he will personally escort us to this place. How or when this will happen is still a mystery, but it’s reassuring to know that Jesus isn’t going to leave us dangling between this life and the next. All we need to do is to love, trust, and serve him until that time comes.
My Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you that you have a place waiting for me in your house. I admit that I can’t even imagine how great that will be, but I trust you and know I won’t be disappointed.
Amen.
Final Word
Our bodies are like tents that we live in here on earth. But when these tents are destroyed, we know that God will give each of us a place to live. These homes will not be buildings that someone has made, but they are in heaven and will last forever.
2 Corinthians 5:1 CEV
Stone for the Journey
I will trust God for this life and the one that’s yet to come.