John 14:31, “But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.”
In John chapter 14 the Lord gave an abundance of comfort and peace by His precious teaching to His disciples. At the end of the chapter, the Lord says, “let us go hence”, or let us go forward from here (my words). These words, as does every word in the Bible, hold an abundance of spiritual instruction and wisdom. As I read these words, it seems to me that the Lord is saying there is more for you to learn and do. What a precious lesson for us all. No matter where we are in our study; our scriptural learning; our walk as His disciples; none of us have come to a place where we cannot learn and do more in His service.
In Hebrews chapter four, we read the words “let us” repeated several times, and each time we read those words we are instructed concerning something that we need to do.
- In Hebrews 4:1 we read, “Let us therefore fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.” The writer is calling on the reader to obey God with a reverential fear, lest they miss out in the temporal blessings of the Lord that may be enjoyed by His children.
- In Hebrews 4:11 we read, “Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” We learn in these words that there is a work (“labour”) for us as His children in this world if we expect to climb the mountain to fellowship with Him in His House (Micah 4:1-2).
- In Hebrews 4:16 we read, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” In this verse, we learn that we must fight against the efforts of the world, the flesh, the devil, these things that will cause us to doubt the Lord; in order to cling to our confidence (boldly) in Him who promised to never leave us nor forsake us. If He knows us inside and out (Hebrews 4:12-13); if He indeed is an able and great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14; if He indeed cares with an abundance of sympathy and empathy for His children, then we should be encouraged to overcome the opposition to come to Him in our times of need.
Brothers and sisters, this world is full of people who have ideas on how to live a happy life. It seems to me that every time I turn on the radio or television there is another person with a new plan for happiness. Truly, the One who has everything right is the Lord. If any of us are to enjoy a happy and fulfilled life, it must be a life in obedience and faith in Him. If He says, “Arise, and let us go hence” then let us be found going forward and walking with Him “that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).” Amen!