Daily Devotions
John 16:33 – [Jesus said] “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.”
Are you in a desperate situation right now? Do you feel overwhelmed by your circumstances? The world can be a dark and difficult place. And even the words we receive from the most well-meaning friends and family members can ring hollow when we’re not sure there is a way out for us.
But today’s Scripture reminds us that the victory is already won; there is peace to be had in what God’s Son Jesus has done for us. This is the guarantee of God Himself as given by the Savior. This promise of peace was one of the final utterances Jesus spoke before He was betrayed, falsely tried, and led to Calvary to be crucified.
Now of “these things,” you may certainly ask, “What are they? How can I know they pertain to me?”
“These things” are given to us in the book of John, in chapters 14-16. They tell us the truth that Jesus is God, since He and the Heavenly Father are One. They speak of the Savior’s great love for us and how in that love He will lay down His life for His friends. They speak of the pledge that the Holy Spirit will strengthen all those who are God’s. They remind us that our petitions as prayed in the Savior’s Name will be attended to by the Father. And of course they declare to us the life-transforming promise that in Jesus’ “Father’s house are many rooms,” and that there Jesus goes “to prepare a place” for all who trustingly receive Him as their Lord and Savior.
This is the comfort and assurance we have from God Himself when we are lost in this world’s darkness: that Christ Jesus has paid for our sins by His death on the cross and has conquered death by His resurrection from the grave. There is light for us in God’s Word; this light takes the blinders off our eyes and gives us direction. Through God’s Word the Holy Spirit purifies us and makes us more like Jesus.
These are words of truth spoken by Jesus to our Heavenly Father: “I have given them Your Word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth” (John 17:14-17).
All this is God’s unbreakable truth. In Jesus you find comforting, strengthening peace, no matter how heavily burdened your life may be. You will not find peace without the Savior or by striving against Him. Therefore, give Him your heart! Invite Him into your home! Seek a Christ-exalting church and worship Him there with others, so that your life may shine and be a blessing to others who, too, are in darkness.
WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, dispel the darkness and open my eyes to the glory of Your Son, my Lord and Savior. In His Name I pray. Amen.
From “There Is Peace for You in Christ,” a sermon excerpt from Rev. Dr. Walter A. Maier, the first Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
Reflection Questions:
1. Why did Jesus think it was necessary to encourage His disciples? What would they face?
2. What is the peace that Jesus offers in this world?
3. Does knowing the world may not be receptive to God’s Word help you when sharing the Gospel?