A Mansion Over the Hilltop
John 14:1-4
1 Let not your heart be trouble; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.
One of the first songs as a child that I learned to sing was an old hymn entitled Mansion Over the Hilltop. The words to the chorus go, “I’ve got a mansion, just over the hilltop, in that fair land where we never say goodbye. And someday yonder, we’ll never more wander, but walk upon those streets of gold.” I loved that old song. I would imagine these beautiful streets of pure gold with big, beautiful mansions lined up and down them. As an adult now, sometimes I daydream, imagining the great reunion of seeing our precious, dear loved ones who are waiting for us there. We all probably have someone who we dearly miss and can imagine that great reunion day with them as well. Sometimes the cares of life, the serious circumstances that may befall us will feel like they are out of our control. Our planning and effort have no effect or could ever prevent hard things from happening. Hard things do happen. We can feel at a loss in how to fix it. We may try to maintain some sense of order, but life can still feel unbalanced, uncertain and even feel out of control at times because of those pressures that wrap themselves around us too tightly. Jesus knew all about these pressures. Jesus spoke so often to us that we are not to be afraid, to worry, not to be ‘troubled” in our hearts. Jesus knew what was coming and He didn’t want them to lose their way, or to get lost in all that was going to come into their lives. These are the words He chose to speak to them on the heels of the Last Supper, before His difficult journey to the cross. He offers comfort, He prays His disciples will remember, for He knew what lay ahead for Him and for them. He knew the trials they would soon have to face. Jesus could have said so many different things, but these are the words He speaks to them. These are the words that still have so much power for us still today. There are many reasons to have a troubled heart today in this world. Remember, don’t be a follower of the crowd, yielding to the hysteria of the day that we live in. Stand apart, for we know and understand that our true peace and security can only be found in Him. Watch carefully and take care for your “heart.” It is the fountain and seat of all the thoughts, passion, affections and purposes in our lives. He reminds us to guard it carefully. Have trust in Him, and know as you believe, He will fulfill His plan and purpose for you.
What about you? Do you ever think of your mansion just over the hilltop? Are you assured of your salvation today? Talk to Him. He you Savior, Comforter, Peace and Lord. He loves you so.
