Trouble can be troubling. We don’t like trouble, want to avoid trouble, and hope not to have trouble. But, we do have trouble. It comes in varying forms and manners, in varying lengths and degrees, and varying intensities and magnitudes. Sometimes we bring trouble on ourselves because of our decisions and actions, sometimes it comes because of the actions of others, and at times it is just the result of living in a fallen world. When assuring us of coming trouble, Jesus also assured us of His presence in it, His peace through it, and His ultimate victory over it. “I have said these things to you that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16.33). In saying “these things,” Christ was referring to His earlier statements of the coming of the Holy Spirit to indwell believers, His coming again for His own, the certainty of answered prayer in the “Father’s name,” and the fullness of His joy.
Because of the work of the Holy Spirit and our anticipation of the future, we can rest in His peace. He knows all things, understands all things, sees us in all things, and will care for us and provide exactly what we need in all things. Peace comes in knowing and believing God’s truth, trusting Him, and resting in the certainty of His fulfilled promises. Troubles will come; we are not promised they will be absent in our lives. But, Christ said, “take heart.” This is a command meaning to have “good courage” or to be greatly encouraged. The troubles we face do not have to be daunting, disheartening, overwhelming, or hindering to us as the children of God. Though they may change the course of our lives and put us on an unexpected path, we can have courage and hope through them. Christ will give us ultimate victory over all our trials. They may linger and be difficult, but they never need to be defeating. In them we can be courageous, knowing we do not endure them alone or apart from His sovereign purpose.
Having His peace – we have much to be thankful for – Terry Burlingame
My Morning Desk 