April 19
Bible Reading: John 16:25-33
John 16:33, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
There is no place you can go in this world to avoid trouble. Even if you were to travel to some far away to some deserted island, there’d still be troubles because you’d be there. Troubles come our way for a variety of reasons. At the root of them all is sin. We face troubles of various kinds simply because we live in a sin-cursed world (Romans 8:20-21). Some troubles come our way because of personal sin we’ve committed (Galatians 6:7). Still, other troubles are unique to those who suffer persecution for Jesus’ sake (1 Peter 4:14). That was the particular focus of Jesus here in verse 33.
In that context, Jesus promised to his disciples two things. Peace amidst their troubles. And triumph over them. As long as you live on this planet, there is nothing you can do to avoid facing troubles. But in Jesus we’ve a Savior who avails to us an inner peace that transcends our circumstances. He bids us to bring our concerns to Him, that He might garrison our hearts against despair (1 Peter 5:7, Philippians 4:6-7). And, since He has triumphed at the cross, there is no trouble on earth than can work to separate us from His love. Indeed, because of Him, we are “more than conquerors” in spite of them all (Romans 8:35-39)!
I came across this quote from John MacArthur the other day: “Do not expect everything in life to be good. It will not happen. Do not expect everything in yourself to be good. That will not happen either. But what you can expect is this: God will weave everything together for His own beloved children to produce a good result both in time and for all eternity.”
John MacArthur
In this world, we have tribulation, but in Jesus, we find a true and lasting peace and an ultimate triumph over all our troubles. And God will even use all the troubles we face to accomplish His good purpose in our lives (Romans 8:28)!
Troubles are an inevitable part of life, but in Jesus, we possess a present peace and future triumph!
WHAT GOD HATH PROMISED
God has not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God has not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
Refrain:
But God has promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing kindness, undying love.
God has not promised we shall not know
Toil and temptation, trouble and woe;
He has not told us we shall not bear
Many a burden, many a care.
God has not promised smooth roads and wide,
Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;
Never a mountain rocky and steep,
Never a river turbid and deep.
LookingtoJesus 