John 16:1-33
Friday, 19 January 2024
“I told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have trouble. But be brave! I have defeated the world!" -John 16:33 [ERV]
When Christ Jesus accepted His Father’s will to go to the Cross, the power of the world (controlled by Satan), the power of sin and death were defeated. Through His death and resurrection, He brought forth life everlasting- death would no longer have the final say. So in the midst of the hard times of life, we can take heart and have His peace- because hard times are temporary and are preparing us for eternal glory. Our peace is not in the absence of troubles, but in Jesus and in the hope of what He has done to make our future sure!
Many view Christian life as means of deliverance from trouble. It is deliverance in trouble, which is very different. The Word of God assures us that if we dwell in the shelter of the Most High, we will dwell in the shadow of the Almighty. God’s children are in His protective care and He alone is our place of safety; He will be with us in trouble- He will rescue and honour us (Psalm 91).
To a child of God, Jesus says do not be surprised when troubles come. From the key verse He encourages us to be of good cheer as He has overcome the world- so there is nothing to fear. In John 14: 27 He said: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” God does not give us a trouble-free life— He pours out His abundant life into us as we overcome the troubles we face. Thus the Lord tells us plainly that we should take heart if we are indeed in Him.
We should see our struggles as well as persecution for our faith as “troubles” that God uses, to live in total dependence of the grace of God. As we do this, we will stop seeing our walk of obedience not for earning anything, but as what God is using to grow us into Christ-likeness for His glory. In this, we see clearly that no matter what is going on in this life, we are in Christ and He has overcome the world.
Paul suffered and he was an Apostle. His suffering was not because of sin in his own life. Suffering is the inevitable part in the life of the Christian because he or she has the same mortal and corruptible body as an unbeliever. Receiving Christ does not change this. Our physical bodies do not become exempt from mortality or corruptibility. Our suffering may sometimes be due to persecution from the world when we do not conform to its standards. However, Christ will ultimately overcome. As Paul stated we can imitate him in this, “…which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.”(2 Timothy 1:12)
Brethren, take your troubles and sorrow to the throne of grace. Seek to obey Him and receive His strength as you stand firm in your trials. You will experience His peace in the midst of trouble.
PRAYER: “Strengthen me, O Lord Jesus, in the middle of my trials and hardships. May Your Spirit remind me of Your promises, Your faithfulness, and Your triumph over Satan and death. May the peace that surpasses all understanding be mine. In Jesus name, Amen.”