Read John 16:33

What better verse to be reminded of at a time like this in our country and the world!

In order to understand verse 33, you have to read the entire chapter and I challenge you to do so.

“…Yes, I’m telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning…” (vs.4)

Whether it has been in the last few weeks or sometime in your life, I bet there was a point where hope may have been lost, or the next steps or future unclear. Well, that was certainly the case for the followers and disciples of Jesus.

In all of chapter 16, He spends the time not only warning them of what is to come, but also encouraging them with the power and strength that they will have in the help that is to come after Jesus has ascended into Heaven. What they can overcome because He has already overcome. He is encouraging them that the suffering which may come to them is only for a while.

He is reminding them that, even though darkness rises, He rises higher.

He is our hope because He has overcome the world.

When I think of this world, here are just a few things that come to my mind:  fear, anxiety, depression, miscarrying our second child, addiction, sadness, hurt people hurting people, unfairness… I mean, that’s just a few.  I am sure there are more that you can think of. May I remind you though, if you are a follower of Jesus, this is not your true home. We are more than conquerors!

When the time comes for us to ascend to be with Jesus forever, everything that we have on this earth disappears, and, with that, so will be the hurt and suffering we have experienced or will experience.

Jesus has overcome this world.

I don’t know about you, but with what is going on or has gone on in our country alone, this is a great encouragement. Listening to Jesus’ words, that this is not forever, is something I am constantly reminding myself of as well as my friends and family.

God is not surprised by anything that happens, though it isn’t His best for us. It’s because of this broken world we go through it, and, just as John 16 says, He has gifted us with His spirit to cling to in order for us to conquer through.

So, as John 16 says, remember the warning. Remember the power that Jesus has for overcoming this world and that you are a child of God. Remember that this is not your true home and remember that, no matter what is to come, God is not surprised because Jesus has overcome it and He is with us through it.

Kelly Lawson