by John Doyle
Our Scripture Reading — John 16:16-33
“These things I have spoken to you, that in me you shall have peace, in the World you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the World”
John 16:33
One of the things Jesus wants his followers to understand is that the way forward for them will not be easy in this World we live in. As believers we should be prepared to experience resistance and at times hostility because of our faith. We will also have to deal with many other problems in this fallen world. We can at times expect conflict, anxiety, depression, poverty. Many also have experienced during these days of COVID loss of loved ones, tragedy in the home and disaster. Sadly the list goes on and on.
But the Lord Jesus wants us to understand that there will be days and even seasons of life that are incredibly difficult. Scripture never promises that faith in Jesus will make our problems go away, in fact, sometimes the opposite occurs as we read in the lives of His Disciples and so it will be in each of our lives and it will continue on until Jesus returns and provides VICTORY over the “god of this world” who continues to “blind the minds of them who believe not.”
Whatever comes our way, we do not face our struggles without hope. We have put our trust in the Saviour who died for us, but then rose again Victorious. He provided for our salvation and new life that was only possible through the defeating of sin and death. Lets pause a moment and sing it together:
“Oh, victory in Jesus my Saviour forever,
He sought and bought me with His redeeming blood,
He loved me ‘ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to VICTORY, beneath the cleansing flood”
Several Bible Scholars call this theme in Scripture *Christus Victor* and the idea is that Jesus will triumph over every enemy of God and that we will share in that VICTORY because of our faith in Christ. In the Lord, we have hope for full redemption in this life. Bodies can be healed, hearts can be softened, and lives can be changed. All possible because of the sacrifice of the only begotten son of God.
But even if we don’t fully experience some of these changes we hope for during our lives, we have the assurance that one day we will share in Christ’s VICTORY forever.
Scripture provides assurance that Jesus will triumph over every enemy of God and that we will share in that VICTORY because of our faith.
My prayer for us: Dear Lord, grant us each your peace in these difficult times and seasons of COVID and Lockdown, knowing that we will all share in your VICTORY Forever, Thank you Lord, we Love you.
Yes its time to finish the devotion in song:
FAITH IS THE VICTORY, FAITH IS THE VICTORY,
OH, GLORIOUS VICTORY, THAT OVERCOMES THE WORLD
His banner over us is Love, Our sword the word of God,
We tread the road the saints above, with shouts of triumph trod,
By faith they like a whirlwinds breath, swept on or every field,
The faith by which they conquered death Is still our shining shield.
FAITH IS THE VICTORY, FAITH IS THE VICTORY,
OH, GLORIOUS VICTORY, THAT OVERCOMES THE WORLD
Please let us know if we can pray for you specifically at this time.
In the Love of the Lord Jesus,
John and Barbara
