The smoke from a wildfire in Canada blanketed a third of the United States yesterday. It was thick at my home, making my eyes water and apparently alarming many who called 9-1-1 to report a fire. Looking at my own dry lawn, I wondered about fire here. I saw the story out of Ukraine about a major dam on the Dnieper River that was blown up, adding to the death count and misery of that war. I spoke with someone deeply concerned about a struggle in their family and strained relationships.
Yes, there is plenty to make us worry. Who does not experience at least some anxiety over our deeply divided nation, the future of our leveraged economy, or gloomy rumors of wars? Add in the personal challenges of work, family, health, and finance and there is a recipe for a stew of stress!
In the second half of John’s Gospel, we read an extended conversation between Jesus and His disciples over the final Passover meal as He prepared them for His imminent arrest and death. They were confused by His words, unable to grasp His promise of a new Comforter that will come to live in them, the Holy Spirit. Jesus does not sugarcoat the future. He warns them that they will be persecuted by the world who will not like them any more than they liked Him. He tells them that when they do good, they will be hated. He says that troubles will come their way.
But, He promises them a pathway to peace.
Christians sometimes falsely conclude that they must have ‘faulty faith’ when
they experience trouble and hardship. “If
there is all this trouble in my life I must be doing something wrong,” we tend
to think. No doubt about it, we can bring trouble on our own heads by making
foolish decisions, by living without prayerful awareness of God’s Spirit. However,
because we live in a broken and sinful world, even the most devout saints will go
through hard times.
Serenity is possible, a gift God provides. Here’s what Jesus said at the Last Supper to men who were confused and stressed by what He had told them about their future: "Truly, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy when you see me again. It will be like a woman experiencing the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives place to joy because she has brought a new person into the world. You have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy." (John 16:20-22, NLT)
Those
men were going to enter into a greater darkness than they had ever known, but
in three days the Resurrection would let them put the puzzle together, give
them the assurance they needed, and prepare them for the future. – “In this
world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
“Take heart! I have overcome the world!” is still a promise to
shape our emotions. Temptation, death, divorce, disappointment, failure, missed
expectations, wars, divided culture, dysfunctional people – will bring us
concern, but for the saint there is serenity found in the care of the Lord.
Stressed and anxious, worried and weary? Meditate prayerfully on this word from the
Word and I pray serenity will flood your mind.
"Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is
admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—
think about such things.
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—
put it into practice.
And the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians
4:6-9, NIV)
(Video of this blog at this link)
____________________
Are you hurting and broken within
Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin
Jesus is calling
Have you come to the end of yourself
Do you thirst for a drink from the well
Jesus is calling
O come to the altar
The Father's arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
Leave behind your regrets and mistakes
Come today there's no reason to wait
Jesus is calling
Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy
From the ashes a new life is born
Jesus is calling
Oh what a Savior
Isn't he wonderful
Sing alleluia Christ is risen
Bow down before him
For he is Lord of all
Sing alleluia Christ is risen
Bear your cross as you wait for the crown
Tell the world of the treasure you've found
Chris Brown | Mack Brock | Steven Furtick | Wade Joye
© 2015 Music by Elevation Worship Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License # 810055
No comments:
Post a Comment