The Word God Spells

John 16: 29-33
Acts 19:1-8 / Ps 68: 2-7

In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.
John 16:33

If you want to have peace of mind,
All you have to do is believe:
In this world you can never find
The peace that only Christ can give.

Jesus’ disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure of speech. Now we know that you know all things, and need none to question you; by this we believe that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, every man to his home, and will leave me alone; yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Reflection

The disciples professed their faith in Jesus (Jn.16:30), but our Lord predicted that their faith would still be found wanting. He told them: “Do you believe now? Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to his own home and you will leave me alone.” (16:31-32) After a few hours, His apostles did scatter in fear.

Hardly a day passes that we do not encounter problems or troubles. The devil in this world is always trying to disrupt if not corrupt God’s plan in our lives. But all of his schemes are futile because God has already been victorious in Christ Jesus. The problems and hardships that are deployed against us should only serve to strengthen our resolve to win all our personal battles for Christ. All we need to do is “take courage”, and not listen to the enemy’s lies and negative promptings. We must purge all fears and anxieties from our thoughts and feelings, and constantly break out in praise and joy — because Jesus is our Lord and He has already conquered evil.

It has been said that there is nothing to fear when one fears God. The prospect of offending God by committing a sin is the only fear that we must harbor. But with regard to the ‘threats’ of the world, we should take courage in our Savior, for even in His humanity, He had subdued the world and all its evil.

There will always be turmoil in the world because of pride, greed, hatred and all kinds of wickedness and imperfections. Being in the fellowship of Christ and God the Father is like being inside the eye of a tornado. It is the only place where there is peace and calm. “Take courage,” our Lord assured us. There is nothing to fear as long as we are with Him. “You will remain unscathed, with His faithfulness for shield and buckler.” (Psalm 91:7) As long as “Yahweh is the fortress of my life, of whom should I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)

In Your company, Lord, there is no fear. In this Brotherhood where You have placed us, there is only trust, hope, contentment, peace and love. Knowing that we are in You, all of these are in us. Amen.