In This World You Will Have Trouble

John 16:33 "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world."

Jesus' final talk with His disciples was meant to be an encouragement to them, but it seems like it was also a bit of a reality check. He knew that they were focused on His kingdom coming on earth, and fervently hoped that Jesus would rid them of the yoke of the Roman rule. (See Matthew 18) Even one of the moms got into the act and asked Jesus to make her sons rulers in His kingdom. (See Matthew 20)

These people apparently thought that Jesus had come to set things right in terms of freeing them from the iron rod of the Romans.

Jesus, in John 16, is telling them some things that will help them not give in to discouragement when the hard things come. He is telling them ahead of time, "I want you to know that hard times are ahead, but know that I am with you." I have a sense that some of them didn't "get it," and others didn't really believe it. That is evidenced by the the way they huddled together in Jerusalem after Jesus' death.

When I think of them huddled together, I imagine that there was some processing and praying going on. I have to wonder if one of the disciples didn't remind the others of some of the things that Jesus had said where He had predicted his own death. (Maybe James spoke up and said, "Oh, so that's what He meant!") We'll never know, will we? But I wonder how they felt about Jesus' teachings or their own beliefs about the Kingdom of God--AFTER Jesus died.

I wonder if it was in those three days following His death that they began to understand what He had said about them having trouble. Reality was setting in for sure. Jesus actually meant it when He said they would suffer and die because of Him!

However, Jesus had told them that they would have trouble, but He went on to remind them that when that happened He would be with them.

Here's the thing, folks: We will have trouble in this world. Do we want to have the Lord in our hearts and our lives when we go through it, or do we want to go it alone? I think we would all agree that during dark days of sickness, death, financial ruin, family trouble, war, strife and turmoil, it is a wonderful blessing to have the Lord go through it with us.

God has promised to be present with His people since the beginning. The Old Testament is full of His promises to be an abiding presence in our lives. Here are a couple of examples to get you started.

Joshua 1:5 "I will not leave you nor forsake you."

Isaiah 42:5 "I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, and I will hold Your hand."

So how about you? What do you feel about going through tough times with the Lord in your life? Anyone feel like sharing? Post a comment!