I have always been a fan of bluegrass music. One of my favorite songs is by the Soggy Bottom Boys, Man of Constant Sorrow, known for its place in the movie O, brother where art thou. The words of the song depict a man who has seen many struggles throughout his life. The song says in the first two verses: “I am the man of constant sorrow. I’ve seen trouble all my day. I bid farewell to old Kentucky. The place where I was born and raised. For six long years I’ve been in trouble No pleasure here on earth I found. For in this world I’m bound to ramble. I have no friends to help me now.” Do you identify with the words of that song? Has your life been filled with much sorrow? Do you find no pleasure in this world?

                In John 14, Jesus tells His disciples to not be troubled. The disciples certainly had great reason to be troubled. The Bible Knowledge Commentary says, “The disciples were completely bewildered and discouraged. Jesus had said He was going away (7:34; 8:21; 12:8, 35; 13:33), that He would die (12:32–33), that one of the Twelve was a traitor (13:21), that Peter would disown Him three times (13:38), that Satan was at work against all of them (Luke 22:31–32), and that all the disciples would fall away (Matt. 26:31). The cumulative weight of these revelations must have greatly depressed them.”^[1] Jesus, sensing the troubled heart of His disciples gives them some encouragement. In John 14:1-30 we find four reasons why we should not be troubled.

                Jesus is coming again. In verse three we read, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”^[2] Jesus tells His disciples to not be troubled because He is gone to prepare a place for them and will come again and take them to that place where they will be with Him. One of the most comforting thoughts for the believer is the fact that Jesus is coming again. All the sorrows of this life will soon pass for Jesus is coming again soon. Life in this dispensation is fleeting. We are on this earth in this age for a short period of time. Therefore, don’t be discouraged. Do not be troubled. Jesus is coming again! Too often we find ourselves overwhelmed by the cares of this life. Too often we are troubled by the things that stress us and worry us. However, for believers in Christ, we have a hope. We have a future. Therefore, do not concern yourself with things that will not matter. The only things we should be concerned for is in the things that will last for eternity. Live in light of eternity. Live to fulfill God’s Kingdom purposes. Don’t be troubled by the cares of this world. The day is coming soon when all sorrow, pain, suffering, heartache, loss; it will all be over. Jesus will make all things new. Keep looking ahead. Keep moving forward. Don’t give up. Keep pressing on. Look up, our redemption draws nigh. Jesus is coming again and He is coming again soon!

                You have power in the name of Jesus. In response to Phillip’s question concerning the desire to see the Father, Jesus explains once again that if you have seen Him, you have seen the Father. Jesus encourages the disciples with the thought that He is one with the Father. He is the incarnation of God. He is God. It is in this context that Jesus says in verse 14, “If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”^[3] You may be filled with sorrow. You may be going through a difficult season of life. You may be faced with all kinds of trouble, but there is no trouble that cannot be overcome in the name of Jesus. In the name of Jesus, you can climb any mountain. In the name of Jesus, you can cross any valley. In the name of Jesus, you can overcome any obstacle. In the name of Jesus, walls will fall. In the name of Jesus, chains are broken. In the name of Jesus there is forgiveness. In the name of Jesus there is a fresh start. In the name of Jesus there is peace. In the name of Jesus there is joy. In the name of Jesus there is freedom. In the name of Jesus demons have to flee.  In the name of Jesus there is victory. There is power in the name of Jesus. I love the words to this familiar hymn: “Give me your hand, Let’s agree together, Then all of our enemies will crumble at our feet, For whatever we bind on earth, Shall be bound in Heaven; At the Name of Jesus, Satan has to flee. We’ve got the power in the Name of Jesus, We’ve got the power in the Name of the Lord, Though Satan rages, We cannot be defeated; ‘Cause we’ve got the power in the Name of the Lord. So many years now, Satan tried to stop us, But the Bride of Jesus, Lord, is still alive; Like a mighty army, We’ll be marchin’ onward, Winning every battle, ‘Cause the Lord’s on our side. We’ve got the power in the Name of Jesus, We’ve got the power in the Name of the Lord, Though Satan rages, We cannot be defeated; ‘Cause we’ve got the power in the Name of the Lord.”

                The Holy Spirit in with you. Jesus provides more comfort to His disciples in verse 16: “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever.”^[4] Isn’t it good to know that we are not alone? Jesus did not leave us to fend for ourselves. He did not save us and then abandon us. He has given us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. The moment that you trusted in Jesus as Savior, you were indwelled by the Holy Spirit. He lives inside of you. He is your helper. He is your teacher. He is your friend. And He will always be with you. As a believer in Christ, you are never alone. Therefore, do not be troubled. In your darkest hour, He is there. His presence will remain with you even in the most difficult times. There is no need to worry. There is no need to fear. The Holy Spirit is with you.

                You have the peace of God. In verse 27 we read, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”^[5] There is nothing more comforting, nothing more refreshing; than living in peace. I love peaceful moments and places. I enjoy every opportunity I can to be in the woods or sit along the shore of a lake or walk on a beach. There is nothing like getting away and just enjoying the peace of God. However, a solace place is not the only place to find peace. The peace of God is with you everywhere you go. You can have peace in the midst of a storm. You can have peace in the midst of a crowd. You can have peace even when you are full of stress. The peace we have as believers is not a peace that the world gives. It is the very peace of God. The very peace that God experiences in His throne room is available to every believer every moment of every day. You have the peace of God.

                There will always be struggles in life. However, in the midst of the struggles, you do not have to be troubled. Living in the presence of the Spirit and in the peace of God and in the power of God and in the hope of His soon return, is a choice. You must determine in your heart that you will not allow the cares of this world to keep you from Jesus. My friend, God is so good. Let not your heart be troubled.

^[1] Blum, E. A. (1985). John. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 322). Victor Books.

^[2] The New King James Version (Jn 14:3). (1982). Thomas Nelson.

^[3] The New King James Version (Jn 14:14). (1982). Thomas Nelson.

^[4] The New King James Version (Jn 14:16). (1982). Thomas Nelson.

^[5] The New King James Version (Jn 14:27). (1982). Thomas Nelson.