I Would Have Told You

If you’ve followed my devotionals long enough, you know I often share my heart and where I am in the moment. I can truthfully say that I am in a very blessed season of my life right now. That has not always been the case. A month or two ago, I was still asking God tough questions: some “why’s?” some “how’s?” and a whole lot of “when’s?”

In John chapters 13 through 17, Jesus and his disciples were preparing for Passover. Jesus was sharing some very important things with them because he knew this would be his last evening with them before he was betrayed and arrested. Like me, Jesus’ disciples were asking a lot of tough questions. They were trying to figure Jesus out, trying to find their place in his kingdom. Jesus was revealing many truths that were hard for them to understand. In answering Peter’s question about what was going to happen in the days to come, Jesus revealed the hard truth that Peter was going to deny him (John 13:36-38). I love that Jesus goes on to encourage Peter and the other disciples, letting them know of the glorious hope that awaited them. “Would I have told you…?” he asked. Basically he was saying, “if you needed to worry about the future, I would have told you so.” Even though hard things truly were ahead, their future was certain. The breakthrough was coming, and it would last forever.

I love that life has seasons. I’m sure the disciples experienced blessed seasons with Jesus as they learned from him. A few days ago, I celebrated as I relaxed in the pool with friends. As I communed with Jesus, I realized that these are moments to savor. As David wrote in Psalm 23:5 (KJV), “my cup runneth over.” Life is finally making sense as God peels back the curtain a little bit so I can see what he is doing. These are good days. But they may not last forever. I don’t know what the coming weeks, months, and years may hold, but at the same time, I know my future is certain. Because my Father’s house has many rooms. If it were not so, Jesus would have told me.

Jesus, thank you so very much for telling us what to expect in the future. Even though there are so many things we don’t know or understand, we can be certain of your love for us and of our place in your eternal kingdom. Help us to live in light of that every day of our lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Throughout this day: Have you been wrestling with hard questions about God and your place in his kingdom lately? How can the knowledge that he has prepared a place for you give you answers?

Here is the song that I’ve been listening to every morning for a week or so, the soundtrack of what God is doing in my life: Andrew Ripp - Breakdown (Official Lyric Video)