Peace, tribulation and victory

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 [KJV]

Common brown butterfly

When I started this blog in January 2023, it was with the intention of sharing a fortnightly encouragement – a word in season – to Christian single ladies. Well, it’s now three years and 78 blog posts later. No doubt you, like myself, have seen many changes happen during that time.

But one thing hasn’t changed: all of us still need a word in season.  At different times, this comes in the form of a word of comfort, encouragement, support, a different perspective or even rebuke. Sometimes it comes via a Christian brother or sister. Other times, it comes direct from Scripture. All Scripture is special, but some of the verses I hold especially tightly are words spoken directly by the Lord Himself.

John 16:33 is one such verse. Jesus was soon to be crucified, and gently, lovingly, He sought to prepare the disciples for the future. It’s a relevant word to all of us at all times, but particularly at the start of a year full of unknowns. Jesus said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.” We live in a world where many people seek ‘peace’. Some try to silence guilty consciences by alcohol, drugs, busyness, or good works. Governments and organisations attempt to create harmony by enforcing so-called tolerance and outward conformity. Individuals sometimes, in efforts to keep peace with each other, drop standards or ignore issues.

But true peace is only found in Christ, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Ephesians 2:13-14 says, “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us”. Additionally, John 16:33 links having peace with Jesus’ words. But what ‘words’? ‘These words’ could refer to all of Jesus’ teaching, but the immediate context is the continuous narrative of John chapters 13-16. Amongst the many Scripture gems in these chapters, we find peace with God is only possible through Christ’s work of propitiation (1 John 2:2). Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

We also find many instructions on having the peace of God in our lives after salvation. There’s the promise of the Holy Spirit who is the Comforter (John 14:16-31, 15:26), the call to daily abiding in Christ (John 15), and the promise of answers to prayer (14:14, 16:23-24). “Peace I leave with you,” Jesus said, “My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). In addition to these specific mentions of peace, there’s the general encouragement that Jesus’ sayings are God’s words. God’s Word is everlasting (Matthew 24:35), enlightening (Psalm 119:105), powerful (Hebrews 4:12), unchanging (Psalm 119:89) and faithful (Numbers 23:19). God’s Word is a powerful stabiliser and anchor in our lives, so taking in as much of it as we can helps maintain a peaceful spirit.

“In the world ye shall have tribulation”. At first reading, this phrase does not sound encouraging. But the first thing Jesus does here is state reality. He had already told His disciples, “I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you,” (John 15:19b). Tribulation is a broad word referring to pressures, anguish, troubles or difficulties. When we expect trials, we’re better prepared to handle them in the way God wants.

Here in South Australia, we have a vivid illustration of this principle. Our summers are hot and dry – at this very moment the thermometer here reads 40 degrees Celsius. Each summer brings a high chance of uncontrollable bushfires, so the government and councils run awareness campaigns, with slogans like “Complete your bushfire survival plan today. Preparedness saves lives!” Many advertising slogans are rubbishy, but this one is fact. Preparedness really does save lives.

And in the Christian life, being aware of our vulnerabilities saves us from grief. “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12). Single people like me need to constantly surrender our singleness to the Lord – we can all think of others who made foolish decisions about relationships because emotion overpowered wisdom.  Parents don’t want to spoil their child’s innocence, but for their child’s safety, they must educate them on things such as ‘stranger danger’ and appropriate physical boundaries. That’s true parental love, and the same heart is found in Jesus, who affectionately called His listeners “little children” (John 13:33).

This statement about the reality of tribulation, however, is particularly encouraging in the context. It’s sandwiched between the promise about finding peace in Jesus – peace independent of current trials – and another statement we’re going to look at next.

“But be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” What an incredible, uplifting truth! Colossians 2:15 says of Jesus, “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” Hebrews 2:14b declares Jesus died, “that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil”. All power – not just some, or a little, but all power – is given unto Jesus (Matthew 28:18), and every person who ever lived will one day bow before Him (Philippians 2:10).

Because Jesus is Victor, we too can have victory. In 1 John 4:4, the Apostle says, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” And similarly, “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4). We can also have victory over sin: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). And victory too over death, because Jesus has taken the sting out of sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).

As we look to the new year ahead, let us be encouraged by the words of Jesus Himself, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”