Jesus said to his disciples, “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.” (John 16:33) This is the last recorded words of Jesus, in the gospel of John, before he was arrested. Between his teaching the disciples and his arrest is the high priestly prayer.
This morning, I recited John 16 and read Genesis 12-15. It always amazes me how these things come together. In Genesis 12-15, God promises Abram and in John 16 the Lord Jesus promises the disciples. “Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.” (Gn 15:6) Both Paul (Rom 4:3, 20-22; Gal 3:6) and James (James 2:23) quote this passage when talking about salvific faith in the Lord.
We must trust the Lord while living in a world in which there is much trouble. We cannot see the promise of the Lord but must trust his word. We must trust that the Lord has defeated all of our enemies: Satan, the world, sin and death. We must trust that no matter how bad things might become in this present world, that ours is the kingdom of God. This is not our home, we are pilgrims on a journey to the celestial city.
Yesterday, on the Lord’s day, our pastor Phillip, preached on Psalm 1 and what a wonderful message it was. I needed to hear that message for my own sake but it also makes me worried for my children because I can see in it the wrong way that they are going. They have listened to the counsel of the wicked, they are standing in the way of sinners and I am afraid that they have crossed over to sitting in the seat scoffers. (Psalm 1:1)
Yes, I believe that my children are on the way that leads to destruction. Our daughter is 27 and our son is 31; neither of whom will listen to the counsel of their parents. I know that God causes all things to work together for good. (Rom 8:28) Therefore, I am trusting in the word of the Lord despite the tribulations in this world.
In Christ alone,
Michael Peel
The Nurse Theologian
