Hope and Peace in John 14

It can be easy to lose hope when we’re often attuned to the chaos around us. We live in a fallen world that runs on people’s opinions and preferences, a world in which sin is celebrated and everyone does as they please without much regard for anyone else—especially God. In America, “In God we trust” remains on our money but most people tend to trust in themselves (or money itself!).

When it seems that we’re overrun by the worldliness around us, how can we as believers stand firm in our hope? Is it truly possible to have peace in the midst of the mayhem?

Looking at the book of John, we can find comfort in the words of Jesus Christ. Chapter 14 is filled with the hope and peace we desperately need to remember as we go through our daily lives. Jesus was speaking to His disciples, and He knew they were struggling with troubled hearts (John 14:1), akin to the way we may be tempted to worry. He spoke of their future, the same future we have in Him: “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 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.” (John‬ ‭14‬:‭2‬-‭3‬) This passage is a wonderful reminder of what’s to come for those who believe and abide in Christ. This fallen world is not our home, and Jesus is preparing a place for us. It doesn’t end here! Praise God for that truth!

As I read the rest of John 14, I am comforted even more so as I see how Christ—along with the Father—works in us as we believe and obey (John 14:10-15, 18-20, 23-24). We have the Holy Spirit to help us live out truth (John 14:16-17, 26) and abiding in Christ gives us true peace: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” (John‬ ‭14‬:‭27‬)

With our eyes fixed firmly on Christ, there is no need to feel hopeless because in Him we know what is to come: He is coming back again! He is “the way, the truth, and the life,” and He tells us “no one comes to the Father but through me.” (John 14:6) So we can be sure that as we follow Jesus, He will bring us to the Father at the proper time. And the Holy Spirit, who is within us, will strengthen us in the truth and help us to remember it. In hard times, we need not be troubled but instead rely on the help that is forever available to us.