John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33 reveals three facts:
- CHRISTIANS WILL SUFFER TRIBULATION.
Jesus said: “In this world you will have tribulation,” (John 16:33). The word “tribulation” means “pressure.” It is anything that presses on us – work, life, family, finance, and health.
One thing that troubles many people and even Christians sometimes is the problem of suffering. Some look at suffering in the world and ask, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” and “Why do Christians suffer?” But suffering is unavoidable from that day when sin entered into the world (Genesis 3:16-19).
Nevertheless, suffering has its benefits. Paul says: “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10). It may sound like an oxymoron. How can someone possibly be weak and strong at the same time? When our lives are running smoothly and devoid of trials, we have a tendency to rely upon our own human strength; we don’t think much about God. However, when our life is beset with difficulties and storms, our strength fades away and we become weak. And, it is in time like this that we turn to God and rely upon His divine strength. And when we are relying upon God’s almighty strength instead of upon our own inadequate strength, we become strong.
James wrote: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this that the trying of your faith worketh patience” (James 1:2-3).
- CHRISTIANS CAN HAVE PEACE.
The word “peace” means “at rest.” It is free from agitation. When you stir a pot of soup, you agitate it and everything inside starts to move; they are in a state of agitation. Christ is saying we will have affliction, pressure, suffering, but our spirits can be at rest; we will not be agitated.
This peace does not depend on the circumstances in the world. It is like Jesus who could sleep when the storm was brewing outside the boat (Mark 4:38). The boat was agitated but not His spirit. He was at peace in spite of the storm.
Horatio Spafford, the writer of this beautiful hymn, It Is Well With My Soul, had the world crumbled on him. First, he lost his four year old son to scarlet fever. A year later, he lost most of his real estate holdings to a great Chicago fire; it ruined him financially. Two years later, while his wife and four daughters were crossing the Atlantic, the ship had a collision with another ship and sank. His four daughters died and his wife sent him the now famous telegram, “Saved alone.” Several weeks later, as Spafford’s own ship passed near the spot where his daughters died, he penned his peace in this beautiful hymn:
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
It is well, it is well with my soul.
When he considered the love of Christ and how much the Lord had to give up for his soul, he thought less about his own loss. He found peace in the love of Christ Jesus. The Lord says: “Be of good cheer.” You ask Spafford: “What is left to be cheerful about?” It is this trust in God that I will not be defeated by Satan: Satan wants to break me but I will not be broken.
The scriptures assure us of this peace in Jesus: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3).
- CHRISTIANS CAN OVERCOME THE WORLD.
Christ’s victory is the Christian’s triumph: “I have overcome the world.” Suffering is unavoidable but we can overcome (1 Corinthians 10:13). Trusting in Jesus provides the strength to overcome sin and afflictions: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).
Christ has overcome sin. Therefore, we can overcome sin: “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8:37).
Satan cannot rock the boat when Jesus is the pilot of your life. In Jesus you will have peace. You will have peace when the tempest breaks. You will overcome the stormy seas and sail towards your destination.
Jimmy Lau
Psa 119:97 Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.