40 Days in the Word - Power of the Word Sample

Theme | I Will Be With You Always

From | Sarina Martin

Verses | John 14:1-4, John 14:18-26, Matthew 28:16-20, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Silence …Ba boom… Ba Boom…Ba Boom…

The beginning of new life has an audible sound like no other.

One of the most amazing things I have ever heard was my baby’s heartbeat in utero. A rush of emotion floods your body when you first hear that sound. A healthy heartbeat brings relief and calm, especially to first-time parents. On the other hand, an irregular or troubled heartbeat can understandably bring worry or concern. In the early stages of my mother’s pregnancy with my little sister, it became apparent that she had a heartbeat that was irregular. My mother, a seasoned midwife and nurse, knew something was wrong. Instead of hearing a fast steady pace like a “galloping horse” she heard a slow and dull beat. Thankfully through heart surgery and a pacemaker many years down the track, my little sister’s heartbeat was no longer troubled but can beat at a healthy pace.

When Jesus comforts the disciples in John 14:1 He tells them, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in Me”.

Jesus was sitting with the disciples sharing a meal with them and explaining that He would soon leave them. I am sure the disciples’ faces would have shown their despair and sorrow. Imagine chatting to a close friend or family member and they suddenly tell you at dinner that they will be leaving you soon. It would bring sadness, and I am sure many questions. Jesus reassures the disciples in John 14:18, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you”. As Christians we can take encouragement from Jesus' words that He will not leave us – He is always with us, and our hearts do not need to be troubled. We can take heart and know in every circumstance that Jesus is walking behind, beside and in front! Jesus tells us in Matthew 28:19, “Surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Prayer | Dear Lord Jesus, we thank You for Your promise to always be with us, and that You will never leave us as orphans. We know that You walk us through life’s journey no matter how smooth or difficult the season is. We do not need to let our hearts be troubled, but can rest in Your peace and hope. Father, we thank You that our future is in Your hands, and You have good plans for us.

In Jesus' name, amen.