Dec 13 Advent Devotion: Let not your hearts be troubled

Olu Jegede Devotional

Matthew 2:3
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him

Upon hearing that Jesus was to be born, King Herod was disturbed.  A better rendering of the word disturbed is troubled (KJV).  He was emotionally distraught, shaken, beside himself.  He was indeed very troubled.
 
But contrary to that is Jesus came so that we would not be troubled.  John 14:1, tells us to not let our hearts be troubled.  Jesus is the giver of peace for the troubled soul.
 
A troubled soul is not one that is necessarily  going through family problems, crisis at work or emotional problems.  These of course do qualify and Jesus would ask you to look to him this Christmas for peace.  But also, a troubled soul is generally one who is easily unseated from a place of faith and trust in Christ.  Essentially, in life, when things really count, who do you trust?
 
A friend and I were seated at Tim Hortons Restaurant (one of my favourite places) having a conversation, when he said to me that faith in God is like sitting in a chair, and he pointed to my chair.  You naturally trust.  You believe in that chair’s ability to hold you so much that you don’t think about it when you sit down.  As you sit, the chair doesn’t let you down. Just as you expected it holds your weight, and thus your mind is relaxed and you are able to focus on other matters, such as our interesting conversation.
 
That day when Herod heard the news, he was emotionally (if not physically as well) unseated from his throne.  He couldn’t rest.  He was worried, and frantic.  
 
But Jesus came so that we would not be anxious about anything, not even your future.  Unfortunately Herod wasn’t interested in knowing Jesus.  Instead he wanted to eliminate him because he was to be the king of the Jews.  Similarly, in our sinful flesh,  we want to be king of our own lives, and so we get unseated when situations come our way that take away control out of our hands.We worry about the future, about security, about our children, and we strive, and strive to achieve.  Indeed we trouble ourselves, not allowing our hearts to be seated in Christ.
 
And so Jesus’ words to his disciples – be encouraged, be not troubled, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33) should be instructive to us, as we reflect on Him this season.  Allow God to take control of your life, indeed let him be king in ALL your situations, and as you firmly have  this attitude, I believe you will have peace that passes all understanding.

– Pastor Olu Jegede