“In Me You May Have Peace”

“Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”

Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”

“Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:25-33

We do have Jesus, but that does not mean we will not face troubles in this life. We will. Our faith in Jesus will carry us through.

Sooner or later we will hit troubled times. It is not the way God had originally intended life to be, but when the human race first succumbed to Satan’s seduction in the garden, everything on this planet fell into the grip of sin. And the result has been disorder and dysfunction ever since.

The reality of trouble in life is obvious. It’s the reality of peace that often eludes us. Interestingly, when Jesus warned His followers about trouble, in the same breath He also promised peace.

Not only did Jesus conquer the fallen world through His death and resurrection, but He continues to provide victory, no matter how much trouble we may face.

In the midst of troubles, peace can be found in Jesus.

Our Daily Bread – July 23, 2012

Cross references:

1. John 16:1 : Jn 15:18-27
2. John 16:1 : Mt 11:6
3. John 16:2 : Jn 9:22; 12:42
4. John 16:2 : Isa 66:5; Ac 26:9, 10; Rev 6:9
5. John 16:3 : Jn 15:21; 17:25; 1Jn 3:1
6. John 16:4 : Jn 13:19; 14:29
7. John 16:4 : Jn 15:27
8. John 16:5 : ver 10, 17, 28; Jn 7:33
9. John 16:5 : Jn 13:36; 14:5
10. John 16:6 : ver 22
11. John 16:7 : Jn 14:16, 26; 15:26
12. John 16:7 : Jn 7:39; 14:26
13. John 16:9 : Jn 15:22
14. John 16:10 : Ac 3:14; 7:52; Ro 1:17; 3:21, 22; 1Pe 3:18
15. John 16:10 : S ver 5
16. John 16:11 : S Jn 12:31
17. John 16:12 : Mk 4:33; 1Co 3:2
18. John 16:13 : S Jn 14:17
19. John 16:13 : Ps 25:5; Jn 14:26
20. John 16:15 : Jn 17:10
21. John 16:16 : S Jn 7:33
22. John 16:16 : ver 22; Jn 14:18-24
23. John 16:17 : ver 16
24. John 16:17 : ver 5
25. John 16:20 : Mk 16:10; Lk 23:27
26. John 16:20 : Jn 20:20
27. John 16:21 : Isa 13:8; 21:3; 26:17; Mic 4:9; 1Th 5:3
28. John 16:22 : ver 6
29. John 16:22 : ver 16
30. John 16:22 : ver 20; Jer 31:12
31. John 16:23 : ver 26; Jn 14:20
32. John 16:23 : S Mt 7:7
33. John 16:24 : S Mt 7:7
34. John 16:24 : S Jn 3:29
35. John 16:25 : ver 29; Ps 78:2; Eze 20:49; Mt 13:34; Mk 4:33, 34; Jn 10:6
36. John 16:25 : ver 2
37. John 16:26 : ver 23, 24
38. John 16:27 : Jn 14:21, 23
39. John 16:27 : ver 30; S Jn 13:3
40. John 16:28 : ver 5, 10, 17; Jn 13:3
41. John 16:29 : S ver 25
42. John 16:30 : 1Ki 17:24
43. John 16:30 : ver 27; S Jn 13:3
44. John 16:32 : ver 2, 25
45. John 16:32 : Mt 26:31
46. John 16:32 : Mt 26:56
47. John 16:32 : Jn 8:16, 29
48. John 16:33 : S Jn 14:27
49. John 16:33 : Jn 15:18-21
50. John 16:33 : Ro 8:37; 1Jn 4:4; 5:4; Rev 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21; 21:7