Devotional: Overcome Tribulations: John 16:32-33

“Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you” (Jn. 16:22, NASB).

I am entering one of these car wash facilities that one drives through. The attendant says to me, “What’s going on with this weather?” I can see the confused look on his face. I reply, “You are not from Tennessee are you? “No, I’m from Michigan.” I laugh, and I say to him, “You’re in Tennessee and the weather might change two or three times a day because our weather is affected by the weather from the north, south, and west, and sometimes from the east also. You never know when the weather might change here in Tennessee.” I can tell by the look on the young man’s face that he is confused.

In John 16 Jesus is preparing His disciples for His departure out of the world and His return to the Father. Initially, the disciples are confused. They hear His words, but His words do not make much sense to them. Jesus is trying to get the disciples that they will experience pressure in the world after He leaves them. They will suffer anguish and grief, so much so that they will be tempted to give up trying to accomplish the work that He gives them to do.

Jesus tells them about the work of the Holy Spirit, the advocate and comforter that will assist them in their struggles. The world is not going to change its ways so that they can be comfortable. Being a disciple of Jesus and a witness for Jesus is no easy task. Tribulations await all those that will tell the world about Jesus and the purpose of His death on the cross. The gospel is a message that tells the world about its sins and the need for redemption from a Savior that the world knows nothing about. The world rejects the message and seeks ways to stop both messenger and message. The schemes of the world result in tribulations.

Jesus knows the pain and hardships that the disciples will experience from the world. He assures them that in the midst of their tribulations they will have peace. The world will not give them peace. Their peace is in Jesus their master and Savior. They will be able to do the work assigned to them because Jesus, the one who gives them peace has overcome the world.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we face tribulations knowing that You have overcome the world. Amen.