Peace and Trouble
This morning, I thought it had snowed, but we just had a heavy frost on the ground. Fall and winter is finally coming our way. However, our grass is as green as midsummer. It was good to get outside and try to tackle the battle of the leaves that had fallen from the trees while we were gone.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “I told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have trouble, but be brave! I have defeated the world.” John 16:33 NCV
When it comes to life in this world peace or trouble is not a choice. Jesus stated as a matter of fact, “in this world you will have trouble..” You can count on it, trouble will come from a variety of sources.
Much of the trouble for Christ followers can come from their faith. Jesus said of those who rejected Him, “…they have seen what I have done, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. But this happened so that what is written in their law would be true: ‘They hated me for no reason.’” (John 15:24,25 NCV)
Paul told Timothy, “…everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…” (2 Timothy 3:12 NIV) Peter wrote to believers enduring suffering and said, “…do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12 NIV)
We also see trouble coming from some key arenas in life. James says, “For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual , and demonic”. (James 3:15 NLT) These are often summarized as the “world” the “flesh” and the “devil.” Some translations use the word, “self-centered” for “unspiritual.”
We live in a fallen world, where there is sin and disease. There are natural disasters and we see too often “the innocent suffer for the guilty.” At other times we find that “we are our own worst enemy.” Temptations and the self-centered life that is evident from the early years of life, can cause all kinds of trouble throughout our life.
It is also important to remember that we do have a spiritual enemy who wants to “steal, kill and destroy.” Peter warned, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.“ (1 Peter 5:8 NLT)
But we see that Jesus gives a sense of hope and direction. He enable us to “be brave.” We can have the courage and strength that is needed to be an overcomer in all areas of the trouble and the challenges of life. When Jesus preparing to leave this world He told His disciples, “I will not leave you as orphans…” (John 14:18 NIV) He promises to be with us always. His grace is available to forgive and strengthen. John wrote and said, “….you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.“ (1 John 4:4 ESV)
We take heart because Jesus has overcome the world and all that will confront us. When we stay close to Him we can have the assurance that we are overcomers as well. John wrote these encouraging words, “…everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” (1 John 5:4 NIV) Peter said in our spiritual warfare we are to “Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.“ (1 Peter 5:9 NIV) Paul said, it is the “shield of faith” that distinguishes the “fiery darts of the wicked one.” (Ephesians 6:16)
Trouble is a part of life, but victory in trouble can be ours as well. We overcomer through a life trust and faith, allowing Christ’s strength to be lived out through our lives.