“In This World…”

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” ---John 16:33 cf. 1 Thessalonians 3:3

In 2 Chronicles 20, we see that Jehoshaphat, the King of Judah was being confronted by three armies that were wanting to destroy Judah and Jerusalem. When King Jehoshaphat first heard the news, fear tried to overwhelm his soul. I am sure that he was totally surprised with the news. The King overcame the fear by turning his heart to the Lord.

Jesus warned us that in this world we would have tribulations. A lot of those tribulations come from the devil and his cohorts, who are trying to stamp us out, like those three armies were trying to do to Jehoshaphat and Judah. When we encounter tribulations and trials in this world, do not let them shake you.

I remember when I was in my twenties that I would become shaken in my faith when adversities would arise in my life. I had a theology that told me that if could get things right, everything would be alright. Based on that theology, I strove to get things right. When circumstances in my world would be filled with adversity, my faith would be rattled.

Then I realized, in this world we will have trials and tribulations. It is part of the fabric of this world. This world is tainted with sin and death (Romans 5:12). This world is under the authority of the devil (John 12:30; 14:31; 16:11; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; 1 John 5:18). Adversities are a part of living in this world.

The good news is that “in Jesus” we can overcome the adversities of the world. Our born-again nature is to overcome the world (1 John 5:4). We have the faith of Jesus, that has been given to us in order that we may overcome the world (1 John 5:5). Even though the devil and the world will seek to put us in submission to their adversities, we can overcome them.

The first step in overcoming the adversities of this world is to not be surprised when we encounter them. They are part of the reality of living in this world. But we can take courage, the Word of God tells us that our nature is to overcome the adversities of the world. “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4–5)