Title: So This Is Peace? / Topic: Persecution

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 16; Jeremiah 17; Psalm 96; John 16

Scripture: John 16:1-4, 33
1 "All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. 2 They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. 3 They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. 4 I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you. I did not tell you this at first because I was with you.

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."

Observation: Jesus tells it like it is. This chapter opens with Jesus telling us that we will suffer persecution, possibly even to the point of death. The last verse of the chapter again mentions that we will have trouble but also has the amazing statement that everything He has said to them is so that we may have peace! This isn't exactly what I think of as news that brings inner peace! But it is always better to be prepared for what's coming than to be blind-sided. Knowing what we will face gives us a chance to pre-determine our responses and to pray for guidance and strength. There is another purpose that Jesus has for giving us this information. It's also so we won't go astray. He gives us the long-term view. He wins. We may suffer and even be put to death here but we will live forever with God in a place where we will never have any trouble again if we maintain our faith until the end. That is why we can have peace in the midst of trouble.

Application: I need to stay close to Jesus so that I have the determination to go through any persecution that I may suffer. I need to keep in mind that my Lord went through worse and conquered it and that He promises to be with me always. And I need to spread the message of this word of "peace" so that other Christians are prepared for what is coming.

Prayer: Father help all your people to stay close to You and to trust You through the hard times that are coming. Nothing is so important as our relationship with You. May we not be sidetracked by materialism, pleasure, fame or anything else. May we not be lulled into complacency by an easy life and the freedoms we enjoy now. Give us Your abiding peace. Thank You for ultimate victory.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.