A Morning With Jesus. John 16:33
John 16:33
"In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
Life is hard sometimes, really hard. You know it and I know it. People are often unkind and the weight of this world often feels unbearable, but imagine the weight Messiah carried. The cross Christ was forced to carry was more than three hundred pounds and nine to 12 feet long. So heavy was this burden on our beat and mocked savior that the third-of-a-mile walk took over three hours. That's a lot of weight to be carried for a long time on an already ravaged body. Often we feel the same way.
What burdens are you facing on your long walk to Golgotha?
Church hurt
Harmful relationships
Addiction
Physical or emotional abuse
Financial hardships
Loneliness
Death of a loved one
Toxic work environment
Whatever pain or hardship you are facing, take heart, Jesus Christ, your Lord and Savior has seen and faced issues just like you. Tribulation is part of this sinful world. Every human, in every situation, will be touched by the depravity of mankind and the long-lasting effect of the fall in the garden. This is inevitable so as followers of 'The Way" we should not only expect these trials but embrace them. Our acceptance of these tribulations comes at the expense of the Messiah and the knowledge and strength we take in the fact that Christ beat these tribulations and through the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, extends that same power to those who believe in His saving work on the Cross.
God the Father is glorified by the perseverance of the saints (that's you and it's me) and we are equipped to handle much much more than we could ever imagine. Think back to Job and how he lost absolutely everything in the most devastating and painful ways imaginable, yet he still had faith in God. Despite the urging of his entire world and what must have felt like an unbearable weight, Job chose to remain faithful and loyal to God who inevitably rewarded this faithfulness and restored all Job had with interest.
If you are lost or hurting today, be like Job and make a choice. Seek peace from its source, and put your full trust in the life and work of Jesus Christ. Messiah overcame everything to offer this to you. He loves you and wants you to live a life of true joy and abundance.
