John 14:29

Jesus both graciously and lovingly foretold His disciples of His impending death which was - of course - according to Divine plan and purpose. Our Lord rightly knew this knowledge would afterwards redound to the confirmation of the faith of His guys. How like fulfilled prophecy to strengthen one’s faith! I am reminded of God’s words penned by the prophet Isaiah regarding God’s perfect Omniscience:

8 “Remember this, fix it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels. 9 Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. 10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.” Isaiah 46:8-10 (NIV)

The word that red flags me from Isaiah’s pen is “Remember”. It is as if God shouts with a megaphone to us to dwell on what we have been so sweetly given in Scripture – keep it in our hearts - both what He has done and what He is going to do. We are to meditate on His character and all His promises as it will strengthen us in our faith walk. If what is written has not yet come to pass, you can take it to the bank that it most certainly will.

“God wants us to reconnect with the powerful and timeless things He has done in the past, enabling us to build on them rather than always starting over. He not only desires that we be encouraged by remembering His past faithfulness, but also to realize that the promises and anointings released during those seasons are still available today.” Dutch Sheets

We are to memorize God’s Truths – dwelling upon them - this will serve as an enormous blessing to both ourselves and to our spheres of influence. Hiding God’s Word in our hearts proves to be a great source of both strength and encouragement for the modern day follower of our Lord as well. I believe that is why the “Shema” found in Deuteronomy was such an important text for the Jews – it was a warning to remember because God knows it is so easy for flesh to forget:

4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. 10 When the LORD your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you--a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, 11 houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant--then when you eat and are satisfied, 12 be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. Deut 6:4-12 (NIV)

Peter also gives us a head’s up regarding prophecy found in God’s word. He tells us we are to pay close attention to its truth, to apply ourselves to it and to devote ourselves to the surety of it. The revelation of the prophets would be for believers as a light shining in a dark world – illuminating and inspiriting – enlightening us of God’s ways. All prophetic writings are a revelation from God. Indeed, all of Scripture is “God-breathed”:

19 And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:19-21 (NIV)

In his gospel, John records Jesus stating almost the exact same Word as our verse for today two other times in an effort to encourage His guys – both then and now. Our Lord’s desire was to show that God indeed has a plan and He is in absolute control. By recognizing Jesus’ foreknowledge of future events, the disciple’s – both then and now - confidence in Him would grow:

19 “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He.” John 13:19 (NIV)

4 “I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you. I did not tell you this at first because I was with you.” John 16:4 (NIV)

“All lines of messianic prophecy meet in Jesus.” Fred John Meldau

31 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Mark 13:31 (NIV)

“His love is unfailing, His Word unchangeable, His power ever the same; therefore the heart that trusts Him is kept in ‘perfect peace’...I know He tries me only to increase my faith, and that it is all in love. Well, if He is glorified, I am content.” Hudson Taylor