“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on Earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NLT)
Jesus is with His disciples and He is telling Him He will be leaving them soon. He is going to be with the Father, but He will send an Advocate to be with them. He tells them He is going but will return. This chapter ends with Jesus letting them know there will be difficulties in this world, but He has overcome the world and we can find our peace in Him.
I love this verse! First, it lets me know that any difficulties or sorrows I may face in this life are not a surprise to the Lord. He knows about sin and about the enemy who comes to kill, steal and destroy. He is aware of every difficulty I will face. He knows about the hardships and brokenness I will have to overcome. He knows about the hurt and the heartbreak.
Secondly, He has already made provision for me. I can find peace in the midst of any storm. He is with me and makes provision for me along the way. It’s in the midst of the difficulties and sorrows that I can see most and sense His presence.
And this verse ends with Him saying I can take heart, He has overcome the world! It’s in my mortal human body that I can get caught up in the moment. I can only feel what I am feeling today and can’t comprehend the eternal truth, He is victorious! It’s in His presence that I can overcome!
I am thankful today for His peace in my life. Today I lean into His presence and the reassurance that He has overcome! My hope is in Him. Amen.
What is God speaking to you today in chapter 16 of John? Share your thoughts and insights in the comments below.
Jesus’s words are for today as much as they were when he spoke them to his disciples when He said, “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” The disciples didn’t know what was coming, they could never have imagined the horror that Jesus would be crucified, that He would be leaving them for a short while, and that they would be scattered. He didn’t tell them everything because they would not be able to bare it. Just as today He doesn’t tell us the future, the enemy is still hard at work in our world just as he was then. But Jesus is asking us to trust Him, He knows it all! He is reminding me that He is always with us no matter what goes on in the world and He is offering His peace in the midst of it all. I can choose to draw on his peace because He has given me His Holy Spirit as my comforter and counselor and will guide me into all truth. In recent happenings in our world with Covid, violence, hatred, and confusion, deception, He has already warned us that in this world we will have trouble. We should not be surprised or overcome in fear. We shouldn’t be expecting or hoping for “normalcy“ to return . Instead, He is saying, ‘ Take heart! I have overcome the world!” Lord help me to embrace that wonderful promise every day and CHOOSE to live out that victorious life that you bought for us with your very own precious blood!
Amen! How sweet it is to trust inJesus!
Here on earth we will have many trials and sorrows, but take heart, because Jesus has overcome the world. And we are with him, and we have overcome the world with him. Praise Jesus. This week our Family has gone through some heavy trials, literally, but we know, Jesus is still on the throne and He is still in control. Thank you Jesus for Keeping us safe in your hands and overcoming this world.