I have shared before in these daily devotions that I have a bad habit of reading the endings of books shortly after I begin reading them. If I am honest, I do this because of anxiety. I want to prepare myself if the story will end in heartbreak. Sometimes I look at life and wish to know the ending of certain chapters of my story. Only God knows how our individual stories end on this earth, but one thing is sure: we know how the story God is writing ends because Jesus told us in Scripture. Because of this, we can hold on to hope.
While Jesus spent some of His last moments with His disciples, He shared that His time with them on earth was ending. He also shared with them that although they were about to experience heartache and struggles, He knew the end of the story, and the ending was very good. In John 13, Jesus taught His disciples, "I will be with you only a little longer" (verse 33). He was predicting his upcoming death. Several verses later, in John 14, He told them in the middle of their upcoming hardship, "Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me" (verse 1). Jesus did not want his disciples to be overcome by anxiety, so He gave them a glimpse of what was to come, "There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?" (verse 2). He explained that when the time was right, He would return to get them, and they would always be with Him (verse 3). While things would be bleak for some time, they would not always be. The end of the story, which was actually just the beginning, resulted in life with Jesus forever in His Father's house. This was the truth He wanted His disciples to hold on to as they faced their darkest and most difficult days. They knew how the story ended, and the end of the story was good. The end of the story was life with Him forever.
What was true for the disciples is true for you and me today. We know how the story ends. Jesus will return one day, and if we have placed our faith in Him, we will spend forever with Him in Heaven, where there is no sadness, pain, heartache, or death. In Heaven, there is joy, celebration, and worship of Him forever and ever. This is our lifeline when anxiety threatens to take over. We have hope because we know how the story ends. Hold on to hope in the middle of your difficulties and heartache. As I have heard someone say, "The story is not over yet if the story is not good." Indeed, the end of our stories, because of Jesus, is very good.
Jesus promises eternal life with Him forever when we follow Him. Because of this, we can have hope, knowing that our stories end in victory. Listen to your favorite worship song today. As you sing, praise God for all He has done. Praise Him for the finished work of Jesus on the cross and for the truth that He has overcome sin, death, and the things of this world. It is hard to hold on to worry when focusing on the truth that Jesus has overcome the world.
"Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going."
5 "No, we don't know, Lord," Thomas said. "We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. 7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!"
8 Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied."
9 Jesus replied, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don't know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? 10 Don't you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. 11 Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.
12 "I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!"
