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Hi dear pilgrim, ever joyful on your way up to Mount Zion.*

Always,

We see two ways of looking at things.

• Our perspective.

• GOD's perspective.

Take Peter for example.

So strong. Capable. A leader of men.

And after three years with Jesus, no doubt Peter saw himself as His #1 leadership candidate.

Then out of the blue his sky darkens.

And Jesus ruins it all...

“Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.

Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake?

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.”

John 13:37-38 KJV

His words must have shaken him deeply.

Yet hold on.

Jesus then says something extraordinary to Peter in the very next line. (Almost as if he catches him before he sinks under a wave of despair due to His previous harsh word).

Jesus says...

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 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. 

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.

John 14:1-3 KJV.

Remember though,

The New Testament did not have chapters.

Each book was a scroll.

Zero chapters.

Therefore as ‘Churched up Christians’ it is easy for us to read this section of John 14 totally out of context.

We forget this is a very intimate, one to one conversation between Jesus and Peter (primarily).

A conversation that’s flowing straight through the end of John 13 into John 14. (While the other disciples listened chipping in here and there).

As such.

John 14:1-3 could be read more like this...

“Let not your heart be troubled (Peter); you believe in God, believe also in Me. 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… (Peter). 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 (Peter et al etc).*

John 14:1-3 KJV (‘Peter’ added).

First…

Yes, Jesus tells Peter the truth.

Even the ugly bit that very shortly he's going to deny Him.

And talking of ugly stuff,

At this crucial point.

Suddenly,

Luke introduces another voice into this very same conversation. A character we had no idea was talking here at all!

Satan.

“And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 

But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

Luke 22: 31-32 NKJV

(NOTE: The passage above is part of the SAME CONVERSATION Jesus is having with Peter in John 13/14. John therefore LEAVES OUT a key and dangerous player in it... the devil... talking to Jesus... about Peter).

What a story eh!

But.

One which all boils down to this.

Every doubt, confusion or fear Peter could have possibly thought during the black days which Jesus prophesied would come upon him...

Did not stop GOD doing what He'd promised him one bit.

Why?

Simple. Jesus prayed for him. (Powerful eh!)

In fact.

The rest of Peter's life...

Turned out WAY better than he’d ever dared possible.

Despite how glum things may have looked to him at times.

GOD had a future for him.

And Jesus dragged Him into it. Through death, then on into BIG life.

Big plans.

Yet Jesus kept watching His back, no doubt praying for him all the way… from up in heaven… also because He was Peter’s friend too btw.

Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Romans 8:34 ESV

It's the same with you and I.

Because...

When the LORD (really) promises us something.

It is done already.

As I’ve said before,

It’s certain.

Now faith is the assurance that what we hope for will come about and the certainty that what we cannot see exists.

Hebrews 11:1 ISV

And so to finish overcomer.

If ever you find you can’t pray because your way seems too tough.

Just give up.

Don't pray.*

Instead,

ASK JESUS TO PRAY FOR YOU.

And this dear saint.

(Wonder of wonders)…

IS the secret of ALL SECRETS.

Because…

WHEN JESUS PRAYS—FATHER ANSWERS!

Jesus will pray for you.

And Father will answer you!

Simple eh :)

So rest.

“For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel:

“In returning and rest you shall be saved;

In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”

Isaiah 30:15 NKJV.

Answers are coming :)

Bless you.

Dave.

PS The Isaiah scripture above reminds me of a very quiet Ethiopian Pastor I once knew. (Quiet to others—Yet mighty before GOD).

One day he privately admitted to me,

He had no money.

No work.

And within a fortnight he'd have no house to rent.

(He and his family of six had to move out at short notice).

He'd then need to cover a whole period of six weeks before new accommodation or any money would arrive.

“What will you do?”

I asked him, amazed at his serenity in the face of such big challenges.

He replied…

“Everything will be fine. The LORD has already told me.”

Well would you believe it,

Six days later an America Church sent him an invitation to minister there for the whole summer. And paid for the whole family to go to USA.

Flights. Accommodation. Spending money.

Everything!

Then after a splendid summer....

Upon their return to UK they found their new accommodation ready, plus their stipend too!

Amazing eh?

This Pastor rested in the love of GOD and let Jesus do the heavy lifting.

And,

Everything turned out way better than any of his family dared dream!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

*My insertions. Note, I’m NOT changing or adding to the Word of GOD btw ;)

^*“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect.”

Hebrews 12:21-23 ESV

*By saying “Don’t pray” above… I don’t mean, stop praying as part of a daily, consistent practice of course. I just mean during exceptional times ‘hand the wheel over’ to Jesus and let Him pray for you. I hope you get the gist :)