John 16:33: “I have told you these things so that you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Ever since the fall of Adam and Eve, conflict and disunity have marked the human condition. From family tensions to global crises, trouble surrounds us – and often overwhelms us. We cannot solve most of these problems, nor find lasting closure. Only God can bear the weight of all these troubles.
This burden can tempt us to withdraw, hiding the work Jesus is doing in our lives out of fear or discouragement. Yet Jesus speaks directly to this struggle.
Jesus' words from John 16:33 come near the end of a long conversation Jesus began in chapter 13 with His disciples. On the very night He would be betrayed.
"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 not a promise of peace in some distant future. Jesus came to bring God's kingdom here and now. As His disciples, we will face hardships—both for the sake of His kingdom and because we live in a broken, fallen world. Still, in the midst of it all, we can find peace.
As we prepare our hearts this Advent season, remember that Jesus knows you and your struggles, and He came as the Prince of Peace. He came to give us peace that transcends our circumstances, peace that stands firm even when the world shakes around us.
Trust His promise as it is in Him, and not in your circumstances or solutions of this world, that you will find peace.
Mike Ross
Pray
- Pray for our volunteers who serve each week.
- Pray for Snow White, our Audio Visual Director.
- Pray for our Ministry Partners who serve university students: Scott, Olga, Graham, Naheda, Rasem, Nigel, Paul, Aaron, Becki, Brett, Riana, and John.
- Pray for our university students as they take their final exams (Dec. 10-22).