John 16:33 "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."

There are some comforting thoughts to be drawn from this awesome passage.

First of all, I want you to think about what is happening in this fallen world. We are seeing apocalyptic events all over the world. Nations are coming apart spiritually and morally. The consequences of such reality are devastating to the security and health of every nation. We still are dealing with the Corona Virus, and our politicians and the medical world attached to them predict more of the same. We see wars and rumors of wars. We hear of economic disaster and potential starvation, marshall law, and it goes. Second of all what is happening in your personal world? In mine, as I write, I prepare for major cancer surgery in a few days. Everything is far from perfect in my family and friends. The imperfections of a fallen world are storming my life at times. Do they yours? Our very existence as a world and as individuals are in the balance everyday and threatened by many things. The world deals us questions without answers. It is extremely inconsistent. Each day brings new problems, etc.

Now, that is a world view that brings us little to no hope. We ask, "Where will it end, and how will it end?" 

I have actually described to you the crux of spiritual warfare. The fallen world at large operates under the spiritual leadership of Satan and his spirit world. Without Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior, Satan and his spirit world has clear access to us and our world view. With Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior we are set apart in Him and the Holy Spirit of God dwells in us, the only buffer between us and Satan and the demands of a fallen world with its problems.

In our Text, John 16:33 Jesus is talking not to the world, but to His disciples…those who had believed on Him as their Lord and Savior. The "Lord" part is that part of His work in us and our daily life, overcoming, mastering everything that goes wrong in the world and in our personal world. "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me might have peace." In Him is to be found peace, not focusing on the world problems and personal problems. In that we find peace. Leave all to Him and move on in the right things. Focus on the wondrous salvation you have in Him. Therein in Him is found that "peace that passes all understanding." 

He doesn't just blow off the fact that we will have troubles in the world and our personal lives…"In the world ye shall have tribulation…" He did while here. Afterall, the world crucified Him. He is well acquainted with living on earth. "But be of good cheer," He says. Do not ever forget, when you were born again in Christ, you were established by the sealing of His Holy Spirit in Him. IN HIM. We thus inherit all that He has (I Peter 1:3-4). Here in our text He says to us, His disciples, born again believers of Himself, "I have overcome the world." Now where are we who have truly believed, been born again? In Him. Acts 17:28 "For in him we live, and move, and have our being…"  Isaiah 41:10 "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." He'll see His children through, just focus in mind and heart on Him and His promises to His disciples, His children. What we pay closest attention to regulates our peace of mind and heart.

Charles Empey is the Pastor of Cove Baptist Church, Orange, TX.