MARCH 19

Hopeful Words for Troubled Hearts

Bible Reading: John 14:1-6

Martin Luther called this passage “the best and most comforting sermon that the Lord Christ delivered on earth, a treasure and a jewel.”  There’s no human pain so deep as that of separation.  Nothing works to trouble the heart to a greater extent than that.  What hope is there for comfort amidst the sorrow of personal loss?  Where can we go for reassurance things will somehow be okay?  In these words of Jesus, we’ll discover there’s good reason for hope, even amidst the most troublesome of circumstances.

“Let not your hearts be troubled” (John 14:1).  Jesus knew what was in the hearts of His disciples.  They were no doubt sad and bewildered and afraid.  Jesus had already spoken to them of things they could not comprehend–betrayal, desertion, suffering, death. That was hard enough, but then Jesus spoke of going away (John 13:33, 36).  It was just too much for them.  They had abandoned everything to follow Jesus.  They heard him speak as no man had ever spoken.  They’d seen Him do things no man had ever done.  They loved Him.  They trusted Him.  Things were not going according to plan–they thought He’d come to reign as Messiah.  They’d loved and served Him for 3 and ½ years, now He speaks of leaving them?  

So, what was Jesus’ message to His troubled friends?  First, He encouraged them to trust Him.  As they believed in God, so they were to believe in Him.  “Faith is..the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).  They hadn’t seen God, yet they believed in Him.  Jesus was going to leave them, but that didn’t mean He would cease to exist.  As they trusted God, whom they could not see, so they could continue to trust Jesus after His departure (Matthew 28:20; 1 Peter 1:8).  Trust means focusing not on our troubles, but instead on the One who is there in any circumstance.  The One who has promised to never leave us or forsake us!  Are you even now troubled of heart for some reason–the first thing to be done is to look to Jesus and trust Him!

Second, Jesus encouraged His disciples by way of His promise regarding their future home in heaven.  He spoke to them of His Father’s house, a place having many dwelling places. There’ll be plenty of room there for us all!   In this world, our homes are often the setting not only of welcome greetings, but sad farewells.  The day is coming when we’ll step into our heavenly home where there’ll be no more sad goodbyes!  Jesus has gone to heaven to prepare a place for us.  The One who “does all things well” has been working for two thousand years to get things ready!  One can only imagine who glorious heaven will be!  He’s coming again for us.  He’ll take us home!  Such comforting knowledge!

How are we to find our way there?  That’s what Thomas wondered.  It’ll do no good to type “heaven” into your GPS, it doesn’t know the way.  I’m reminded of all my visits to Uganda, being driven from village to village to the various churches.  There were no road signs or maps.  I was totally at the mercy of our driver, Paul Mwesigwa, who always knew how to get where we were going.  When it comes to heaven, you don’t need to know the specifics of how to get there, you just need to know the One who knows the way and is the way (John 14:6)!

“Let not your hearts be troubled” (John 14:1).  Jesus knows your heart.  He knows all about your heartache.  He’s not far away, He’s promised His presence.  He’ll never leave you, or forsake you!  Trust Him.  “Let not your hearts be troubled.”  In this life there is loss and pain and sorrow, but Jesus has gone ahead to prepare a new place for us in which there’ll be none of that!  He’s been getting things ready and He’s going to come again to take us home!  “And so we will always be with the Lord! (1 Thessalonians 4:18)!

Augustus Toplady, who wrote “Rock of Ages,” died in London at the age of 38. When death drew near, he said, “It is my dying vow that these great and glorious truths which the Lord in rich mercy has given me to believe and enabled me to preach are now brought into practical and heartfelt experience. They are the very joy and support of my soul…”  About an hour before he died, he seemed to awaken from a gentle slumber. His last words were, “Oh! What delight! Who can fathom the joys of heaven! I know it cannot be long now until my Savior will come for me.” And then bursting into a flood of tears he said, “All is light, light, light, light, the brightness of His own glory. Oh, come Lord Jesus, come. Come quickly!” And he closed his eyes.

Troubled Hearts Should Look to Jesus for Hope

Lord Jesus.  Thank you for always knowing what’s in my heart.  You are not oblivious to my troubles and heartache.  You know and care and are able to intervene on my behalf.  Sometimes life gets so confusing I lose my bearings and am at a loss in which way to go.  Forgive me for my lack of trust.  Point me again in the right direction.  Fill my heart with the certain hope of the promise You’ve made of the place You are preparing!  Remind me again…in knowing You I know the way home.  And I’m never alone on the journey because You are right here with me.  Amen.

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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