LEARNING DAILY

John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”  Jesus

The prophet Jeremiah wrote, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord” (7:6). I use the words of Jeremiah to remind Believers when they trust in the Lord and place their hope in Him they are blessed. Walking the narrow way with Jesus, trusting Him to change them is not always easy; that trust and hope is often tested in difficult times. Those difficult times may often be when prayers are not answered quickly enough for us. It is the time one is desperate for the Lord to do something, and it seems God is distant. It might be during a time of failure, and we just do not know what to do. It might be a time of financial need or a time when work is needed. The words of Jeremiah speak to those times to trust in the Lord, to put your hope in Him.

The words of Jesus speak of times Believers need to remember, times when there was joy as they walked the narrow way; remember what God has brought them through. But His words also speak of times of tribulation, difficulties and temptation. The warning comes with encouragement “be of good cheer, I have overcome the world”. Trials, temptations, and difficulties do not end when one decides to give their life to Jesus – to save and change. Jesus did not say “if” you have tribulation; He said “when” you have tribulation.

These times do not take God by surprise. The words of Jesus are to be an encouragement for His followers as they walk the narrow way, trusting Him and placing their hope in Him. These experiences are for a greater good that we probably do not see. But know Jesus is walking with every Believer who has unanswered prayer, has a need(s), and through every trial. Jesus also prayed that those who follow Him would not be taken out of the world but that the Father would keep them from the evil one (John 17:15). Jesus knew how dangerous the world was, how evil it was, especially for those who would follow Him. He understood temptations and understood the devil was “seeking to kill and destroy” His followers. He was asking the Father to keep His followers safe in His truth and in His safekeeping. Believers are not exempt from attack and temptation, but we can know that it is not permanent.

Jesus said in Him, His followers find peace. Why? It is because He has overcome the world. This peace is not worldly comfort; it may not even be happiness as the world defines it. This peace found in Jesus is to set aside worry and anxiety and to trust in Jesus, to place hope in Him. Jesus has triumphed over the world system, the power of the flesh, over sin and death, and the power of the devil. He has broken the old self brought on by Adam and given every Believer a new nature because of His death on the cross.

His words, “be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” are to be a comfort to Believers as they walk with Him on the narrow way. Walk with Him knowing He knows all about the situation you are in. He knows every need you have. Trust him. Place your hope in Him. Set your eyes on Him and let your peace be found in Him. It is a “peace that passes all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) regardless of the trial or temptation or unfulfilled (yet) need you have.