Jesus, preparing His disciples for His brutal death, when He had finished telling them what was to come, He said to them, “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 16:33)
There are days in each of our lives when trouble is so real, so in our face, that it takes all our resolve to remember the last part of that verse, the promise… He HAS overcome the world! We can get so wrapped up in the goings-on around us that we neglect to look up, above the storm clouds, above the here and now, and remember why He came in the first place.
Our enemy, the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…he does not care how, for each of us it will be different, but he will attempt it in every way. We must listen carefully to the words of Ephesians 6, and be sure to know them and to obey all that they so lovely contain. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” (10-18)
If that is not us today, we are guaranteed that one day it will be. If it is us today, let take shelter from the raging storm, reminding ourselves of His faithfulness, for He will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul He will replenish (Jer. 31:25)…And remember, the enemy came to destroy, but He, our magnificent Lord and Saviour, came that we may have life, and have it more abundantly! (John 10:10)
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