04-30 Devotional for Mike By Gloria Barotta (Aunt Glo)

Promise of Peace

John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

This is a verse that has a lot of meaning for me. Our Community Bible Study Leader’s Council had a Christmas tradition. We drew names and prayed for a verse for Christmas for that person. We wrote the verse, along with any insights God gave us as to why we were led to that verse, in a Christmas card. One year a very dear sister in Christ, Ronna drew my name. This is the verse God gave her for me. I clung to this verse throughout the year as I went through some difficult times with my business as a result of 9/11 and some personal strife. It was a dark time in my life, but looking back, it was also a time of great spiritual growth. I am now thankful for God did in my heart during those few years. I am forever changed (in a good way). Looking back I see that before God could use me as a Bible teacher, He had to break me so I would put myself aside (maybe we’ll talk about broken vessels soon).

So I share this promise today because I really believe it! I’ve experienced this peace in the midst of trouble, so I feel confident in telling you all that Jesus really does give us peace. But we must rest IN HIM! We cannot have peace apart from Jesus. When we focus our mind and hearts on HIM instead of ourselves, we are at peace.

The second promise in this verse is that we WILL have trouble. Not might. Not sorta could. Not maybe. He tells us we WILL have trouble. We are always surprised when bad things happen. But Jesus isn’t. We live in a fallen world. Our world is full of trouble. And when trouble finds us we realize just how badly this world needs redemption. It brings us to our knees crying, “come Lord Jesus! Please don’t tarry!”

The best part is He is prepared for our troubles! As we flounder in a sea of uncertainty, He says, “take heart! I have overcome the world.” Notice how our troubles are in the future and how He has already overcome the world. His work on the cross redeemed humanity AND the world.

Pray with me that, in the midst of trouble, Lisa and her family can cling to this promise—that in Jesus we will have peace—and, best of all, that Jesus has overcome the world. His victory over death means victory over the evil in our world and in the hearts of man.

“Jesus, just reading this verse brings back memories of trials and trouble. But it also reminds me of the peace you give us. That blessed assurance that, even when all seems lost and out of balance, that you have overcome all that is evil. We look forward to the day when you rule and reign over the earth. When all that is evil is cast into a pit. When we will live 10,000 years bright shining as the sun. Until then, we pray that we will cling to the promises of your word, that we would not be discouraged. That we would know that you are with us wherever we go until the end of the age. Amen.