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 (NASB)
“In the world you have tribulation”. What could this mean? As but one example, we have all just witnessed the persecution of the church in the name of health through the covid-19 scare and forced vaccination campaigns. The forced closure of churches was not done in the interests of our health otherwise why were strip clubs and gambling centres allowed to remain open? Why were Marxist gatherings allowed to meet but conservative meetings clamped down upon?
There were some wonderful examples of faithful pastors and churches who, when they realised that they were being lied to by the government, opened their churches despite government overreach. These pastors and churches were an inspiration to godly faith.
Here was an example of “tribulation” in the world yet through the determination to trust God every step of the way, the faithful demonstrated to many of us what it is to “take courage” because Jesus has “overcome the world”. Courage does not mean that all difficulty will be removed, not even that life itself won’t be removed but trusting that all things work together for the ultimate good; that in obeying God’s ways rather than being intimidated by evil orders does true peace come.
Blessings.
Our World Our Faith 