JOHN XIV, 1.
Jesus; when he uttered these words had just partaken’ with His disciples of the last supper; he had given them an institution which they were to keep in remembrance of Him. He had told them that He was going away from them, that they should seek him; but that whither he went they could not come. This it appears was the cause of their trouble; the thought that their Lord was about to leave them had caused them trouble and disquiet of mind; and it was this which called forth the Saviour’s emphatic’ exhortation, Let not your hearts be troubled.
But why not let their hearts be troubled? He tells them why: the separation that was then to take place was not to be forever: He went away to be sure, but He went for their good; His thoughts would be upon them while absent from them; and he would be at work for them; for he was going to prepare a place for them, and it was necessary that He should do this; but He would come again and take them to Himself; and this promise He gave them as a sufficient reason why they should not let their hearts be troubled. But our Lord is absent from us, as He was about to be from them: the same cause for trouble of heart exists with us, as with them; but if our Lord told his disciples anciently not to be troubled, for he would come again, that surely is a good and sufficient reason; and it is as applicable to us as them. That voice has come down through the lapse of eighteen centuries, to comfort the hearts of longing disciples all the way along even to the present day. “Let not your hearts be troubled: your Lord will come again to take you to himself.” Much more may we take courage from these comforting words—we who are living on time’s last thresh-hold; when the glorious event is near even at the doors. Can we not fortify our hearts against all trouble under this blessed assurance?
But these words of our Saviour will bear repeating. Let us read them again, and place the accent upon another word: “Let not your hearts be troubled.” No; above all things let not trouble approach the heart. Let there be trouble in the city and in the country; let there be on the earth distress of nations with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring, and Men’s hearts failing them for fear; yea, let your own circumstances be trying and distressing, let want and poverty dog your steps with unwavering constancy, let disease press heavily upon you, and pain rack your whole system, yet let not the heart be troubled. Keep peace and quietness there. Heart trouble is the worst kind of trouble; be sure you guard against that. If we inquire how we are to do this, an apostle and a prophet have both given us directions: the one says, “To be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Rom. viii, 6. And the other responds, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee.” Isa. xxvi, 3.
Once more we may read this comforting declaration of the Saviour’s, and emphasize still another word: “Let not yourhearts be troubled.” No; whoever else is troubled, see that you are not. Though other hearts may shiver and sink with fear, see that yours be not so. You have least cause for trouble. The wicked and the ungodly will he disturbed with trouble; and it is natural that they should be. When they see their prospects fading and their hopes vanishing, when the frail reeds upon which they are now leaning, are breaking and piercing their own souls, when their main stays and dependences are all failing them, it is natural, it is proper, that fear and trembling should prostrate their obdurate hearts. But their rock is not our Rock. Deut. xxxii, 31. We lean upon no deceitful arm. The great God who has said through His Son, that it is His good pleasure to give the kingdom to his little flock, is our Shepherd, and we the sheep of his pasture. The great arm that upholds the universe and moves the planets in their courses, is pledged to our guidance and support. And well may those who occupy such a position, act upon the exhortation,” Let not your hearts be troubled.”
Precious and comforting words. Afflicted saint driven and tossed, these words are yours. They come from the faithful and True Witness who never commands us to do what we have not good reason to do. In the midst of the turmoil of earth, in the midst of its political excitements and the discordant elements of wickedness and sin, in the midst of wars and strife, let your hearts rest in peace. In the midst of pestilence and calamity, be undisturbed. In the midst of the shadows and darkness of this world, shed a mild and steady light, as you journey on. Having made fast to the anchor within the vail, press on your way, drawn by a steady attraction to the saint’s rest. Faith is our impelling force. It is through its powerful glass that we get glimpses of that better land, which fire us with unwonted zeal—glimpse which the word sees not, and cares not for.
And near and nearer still
Does the bright prospect come,
As Time with tireless wing,
Beareth the pilgrims home.
And though the earth be moved,
Though hills and mountains reel,
Yet shall our trusting hearts’,
No anxious’ trouble feel.
For Christ our Lord will bring
The treasures God hath given,
Into his tender care,
Safe to the courts of heaven.
And in those mansions bright
His face we soon shall see,
So let our anxious hearts
No longer troubled be.
Advent Review and Sabbath Herald Oct. 30 1860