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John 16:33 - Genuine Peace is Found in a Relationship with Jesus Christ!John 16:33 (NIV) 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.John 16:33 (AMP) I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but BE OF GOOD CHEER [TAKE COURAGE; BE CONFIDENT, CERTAIN, UNDAUNTED]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] INTRODUCTION Courage grows from the presence of Christ. Jesus summed up all he had told them this night, tying together themes from 14:27-29; 16:1-4; and 16:9-11. With these words he told his disciples to take courage. In spite of the inevitable struggles they would face, they would not be alone. Jesus does not abandon us to our struggles either. If we remember that the ultimate victory has already been won, we can claim the peace of Christ in the most troublesome times. [Life Application SB] COMMENTARY PEARL Christ's humanity was united with divinity; He was fitted for the conflict by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And He came to make us partakers of the divine nature. So long as we are united to Him by faith, sin has no more dominion over us. God reaches for the hand of faith in us to direct it to lay fast hold upon the divinity of Christ, that we may attain to perfection of character. And how this is accomplished, Christ has shown us. By what means did He overcome in the conflict with Satan? By the word of God. Only by the word could He resist temptation. "It is written," He said. And unto us are given "exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." 2 Peter 1:4. Every promise in God's word is ours. "By every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" are we to live. When assailed by temptation, look not to circumstances or to the weakness of self, but to the power of the word. All its strength is yours. DA123 COMMENTARY Be of Good Cheer We live in an increasingly anxious world. Due to the many pandemics, wars, natural disasters, and financial hazards, millions more now suffer from acute anxiety; In fact, Americans spent about billion on anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications in 2022. Meanwhile, social media seems to have only exacerbated the problem, as people compare their miseries to the supposed good lives of "friends" and "influencers" they barely know. Life since the fall of mankind has always been hard. All humans, good and evil, have known suffering, uncertainty; sickness, and death. Research just about any time and place in recorded history and you'll learn that human life, as one writer puts it, has often been "short, nasty; and brutish" That's why the words of Jesus in today's promise mean so much to His followers. He said that in the world, even His own people would have "tribulation." The Greek word here is thlipsin, which comes with the added meaning of "pressure." Today, pressure, or stress, comes from so many places - family, work, finances, relationships, health - that we are tempted to feel everything but peace. Remember, the world Jesus lived in was no picnic either. But we can be thankful that Jesus has defeated the forces of evil; those of us who have claimed by faith His righteousness can rejoice in what He has done for us. That's why He can say "be of good cheer" in a world of many tribulations. You can have real, lasting peace today, not through worldly remedies, but because of Jesus. Rest in that promise and feel your anxiety slipping away. Lord Jesus, please give me peace in this unpeaceful world. [The Most Amazing Bible Promises by Amazing Facts] Peace that Overcomes Jesus' life was not without its difficulties. Why would we expect ours to be smooth sailing? A good life is not a life without suffering. It is one that is filled with loyal love and peace no matter the circumstances. Even when our hearts are trembling within us, we are not alone in facing any trial. We are never alone. Jesus warned his disciples he would not be with them forever. He told them he would lay down his life. However they took it at the time, confused or skimming over the truth behind his words, they were confronted with the reality when he was crucified. What a comfort it must have been later to discover the true meaning behind his Words. Jesus had warned them even if they had not understood. He offers us peace of heart today. We have his Spirit to minister to us with comfort, courage, and restoration when we need it most. Instead of being discouraged by challenges that arise seemingly out of nowhere, remind yourself that God is not surprised, and he is with you in it. He offers all you need! [365 Days of Courage by Sara Perry of Broadstreet Pub] LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY John 16:33 - Genuine Peace is Found in a Relationship with Jesus Christ! https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240128-1114.html http://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230225-0853.html Isaiah 26:3 - Peace That Surpasses All Understanding. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240308-0905.html Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God Will Guard Your Hearts and Your Minds In Christ Jesus. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20221004-1051.html Romans 5:1, 2 - Peace Beyond Human Understanding. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20201201-1130.html LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT https://abible.com/links/ |