Verse of the Day 8/2
Holman Christian Standard Bible
I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world."
What first drew my attention in today's verse was the statement that we "will have suffering in this world". Other translations use "troubles, "trials" and "tribulation". None of them are wrong, they all say the same thing, but it is important to notice that it says you "will" have suffering. I'm sure that other verses come to mind that give us a similar message, James, Jesus' half brother wrote, "count it all joy when you face various trials".
You might think that with all that is going on in the world today that it could easily be looked at as an understatement that we will face trials and troubles. The name it and claim it or "prosperity gospel" isn't capable of addressing it. We we are God's children but we will face trials but the verse calls us to "be courageous" because He has "conquered the world". In doing so He proved that He is an overcomer and He enables us to deal with the suffering and trouble we face as overcomers as well.
Oswald Chambers writes, " God does not give us overcoming life: He gives us life as we overcome. The strain is the strength. If there is no strain, there is no strength. Are you asking God to give you life and liberty and joy? He cannot, unless you will accept the strain. Immediately you face the strain, you will get the strength. Overcome your own timidity and take the step, and God will give you to eat of the tree of life and you will get nourishment. If you spend yourself out physically, you become exhausted; but spend yourself spiritually, and you get more strength. God never gives strength for to-morrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the minute. "
We can have peace, even it times of trouble as we trust in and lean on Him. He gives us "life" and strength as we overcome. It won't be easy there will be strain, but through it He will build us up, give us strength to overcome.
If you have a few minutes, read what immediately follows today's verse, John 17 and Jesus' High Priestly prayer for us.
Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,
in accordance with the riches of God's grace. NIV
32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
The High Priestly Prayer
17 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
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