John 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
I often wonder how much time was spent in this upper room. Jesus had much to
say to His disciples. He left them words of encouragement, peace, joy, and
instructions in righteousness. He opened His heart to them. He was
joyfully anticipating His return to the Father's House. He knew the pain
He would have to endure; yet He looked beyond that to the moment when He would
resume His rightful place at the Father's side. Today's text contains the last
words Jesus spoke to His disciples in that upper room. When we look at
chapter 17, we will see His last action in that upper room was to pray for them
(and for us).
I have often thought that it would be so nice to be able to go through life
without any problems or troubles. But as I look at those thoughts, I
realize I'm thinking them through a mind that has been corrupted by sin. As I
think those thoughts, I am reminded that God's thoughts are not my thoughts and
His ways are not my ways. See Isaiah 55:8. I dare not question God's
motive in allowing trials, troubles, and tribulations to enter my space, for He
has promised to bring me to His expected end. He has promised to be with me all
the way from beginning to end. So, I try not to question why He allows
these things to come upon us; rather, I hope to concentrate on that which
He has promised.
The world offers many things and promises those things to be the answer to all
your problems. They say you can drink your troubles away or use illegal
drugs and you will not be bothered by any problems. Jesus said back in
John 16:11, "the prince of this world is judged." The one who
promises worldly things to remove your struggles has been judged to be a
murderer and a liar. That, which he says will take away your
problems, actually multiplies your problems.
Yes, Jesus promised tribulation will come upon us as we go through this
life. But greater is He that is in us than he, or it, that is in the
world. So today, I concentrate on the peace that is only found in Jesus Christ.
"In me ye might have peace." Jesus has never said He would
remove all struggle in life, but He has promised grace sufficient to endure.
There is a popular saying: "If God leads you to it, He will take you
through it." Peace does not mean the absence of problems; rather,
peace is the presence of Jesus Christ in the midst of the storm.
In the prayer of John chapter 17, Jesus tells us that we are in the world, but
we are not of the world. He has placed a difference within us. He has given His
Holy Spirit Who lives in us and brings the words of Jesus to our remembrance.
As we remember His words, we can know Christ is with us and giving us peace and
strength for each moment we live. Knowing these things, we can "be
of good cheer" because He has "overcome the world." We are
more than conquerors through Him.