The world wants to keep us mired in things that have no eternal value. Jesus wants us to be immersed in things that have eternal value.
Bible Verse
John 16:33 (NASB) 33 These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
The world is an interesting place. There is so much to do and so much to see. But it is also very distracting. The world can distract us from the ministry that we have been given. In fact, the world can be very intoxicating. It can seem like the more of it we get, the more of it we want. The appetite for the world’s things can be overwhelming if we allow ourselves to be sucked in by it. What the world has to offer is temporal. It will not last. But that is right where Satan wants us. He wants us to be focused on worldly accomplishment. His purpose is to drive a wedge between us and God and to drive us farther from Him.
What God offers us is a life that can be filled with meaning and purpose. Through His Son, we can make an eternal difference in those around us. When our focus shifts to a heavenly focus on Jesus and the ministry to which we have been called, the world rebels against us because the goals are diametrically opposed. The world wants to keep us mired in things that have no eternal value. Jesus wants us to be immersed in things that have eternal value. Because of this conflict, we will experience tribulation or difficulty in this world. Jesus’ words are recorded for us in the Bible so that we can understand the forces that are working against us. The only way to find lasting peace in this world is to have a heavenly focus on Him and to do His will.
Application
Are you facing a difficulty in your life? We can rest in the assurance that Jesus is the true way to lasting peace. He knows that we will face trying times because He faced trying times. His words were recorded for us in the Bible so that we could gain courage. Our courage does not come from within ourselves. Courage comes from knowing that we will overcome the world only because He overcame the world.
What trying times do you face today?
Have you listened to the words of Jesus and taken the courage and peace that they offer?
Take time to turn your tying times over to Him and seek out His words, His truth, His peace, and His courage.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for Your words recorded for us in the Bible. Thank You for the peace and courage that we have in You. Thank You that I can overcome the world because You overcame the world.
If you want to know more about having a relationship with Jesus, see the resources: How to Know God.
