March 30, 2025

John 16:33
[Jesus said] “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.”

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Job spoke in scripture
that “a man born of a woman
is of a few days and full of trouble.”
But listen, my friends: as Jesus reiterates,
in this world you will have trouble.
But take heart.
Jesus says, “I have overcome the world.”

Hallelujah! That is good news.
Don't let this world overcome you
and take your eyes off Jesus.
Jesus has already, on our behalf, overcome the world
with all its troubles and heartache and disappointment.

Jesus tells us
not only does he have the world under his control,
but he has us, and he is our peace.
Jesus is our peace,
and he tells us repeatedly that he will never leave us.

We are not without a God,
not without a Comforter,
not without the Spirit of truth.

He reminds us: it is in him that we have our peace,
not the things that are advertised about
on the television or the radio.
It's not the human-made things that we worship,
but Jesus is the Savior who enfolds us
into his awesome presence of peace and joy
and goodness and grace.

And he calms our fears.
Because Jesus lives in me and in you,
we are not afraid.
Jesus is our peace
and we are encouraged, because we know
that he has already conquered the world!

And we give thanks In Jesus’ name,
Amen.