“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 NIV)
No matter how hard you try to avoid trouble, it’s a part of life. Jesus knew this, that’s why He overcame it. Jesus sacrificed Himself for us, and overcame the world. He fulfilled the law because we can’t. He sent His Spirit to help us through the troubles we have. We will have trouble in this life, but Jesus has already overcome it.
Jesus overcame the world for us.
We’re in the midst of a pandemic as I write. Our nation is in turmoil. People are on opposing sides of how to handle the situation. I’m fifty years old. I’ve never felt tension in our world like I do today. After 9/11 the world had tension, but it was different. We identified the enemy to fight, Osama Bin Laden. With COVID, an unseen enemy by the human eye has affected everyone on the planet. No one is immune to the illness. We are all united in the battle, but divided in the plan of attack. Fear of death is a reality people are living with more than ever.
In addition to the pandemic, mental illness has skyrocketed. Depression and suicide rates increased. Domestic violence has risen. Drug and Alcohol abuse is soaring. Coupled with ⅓ of our population being unemployed, lives are in turmoil. They don’t know how to handle their own personal situations. They don’t know how they are going to survive. But God does:
“Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.” (Isaiah 25:1 CSB)
God knows exactly what is going on in the world. He’s known since the beginning of time. He wants us to focus our attention on Him, not COVID. He wants us to praise Him, even in the dark times. He wants us to trust His love and plan for us. He sent Jesus as a representative of Himself. He gives us His Holy Spirit to guide us from within.
In Jesus, we have eternal life. No matter what troubles we face on earth, Jesus is the answer. He is our hope on dark days. He is peace for our troubled hearts. He doesn’t want you to live in fear, He wants you to live life to the fullest:
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10 NIV)
COVID is the thief, Jesus is the answer. You will have troubles in this world, but Jesus overcame them for you.
Question of the Day:
What is the thief trying to steal from you today?
Further Reading: 2 Samuel 12 NIV, John 16:1-33 NIV, Psalm 119:65-80 NIV, Proverbs 16:4-5 NIV