Bring The Storm

In this world you will have tribulation, take it seriously. For just one second take only that. Jesus just promised all of His followers tribulation. That means we are going to get hurt, in our heart and in our life, that hurts.

So back to the point, what is it that will bring peace? Why would Jesus promise tribulation? He says first that He has said these things.. what things? He has said that he will leave, die, and they will lament. Yet, he will return in a little while and they will rejoice and no one will be able to take away their joy. Even though they have trial and tribulation, their joy will be indestructible. Wow, is my joy like that?

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

Well, anyhow, he said those things that in Him, we might have peace. Peace, what is peace? No turmoil, no wars, no fighting, no arguments, no tension. Yes, but this is not the peace Jesus came to give us at this time. He has come to give us a peace that is only in Him, not in the world, it is a peace with God.

A peace that, though the whole world be turned upside down, we still have, a peace that says. “Nothing can touch you for you are Mine, and you will live.” Oh this all sounds so wonderful! Then disaster, for my happy days and dreams are shattered for in this world you will have tribulation. Tribulations are things outside of our control, things that mess with my dreams, with my mind, with my happiness, with my satisfaction. Yet, take heart for Jesus has overcome the world.

Bring the Storm by Tyler van der Hoeven

So what? Jesus has overcome the world, what about me? I’m still down here, taking it all on, all this tribulation that is messing with me, giving me a terrible time of life. How does Jesus overcoming the world help me take heart? How does it get me up day after day? How does it give me hope when my loved ones die, when I lose everything save my own life? Its all wrapped up in the fact that life isn’t about you, its about God.

That’s why we suffer, that’s why life is hard, because Jesus has overcome the world and He receives the glory when we reach out to Him to get us through it. Jesus came to give us an abundant life, but not a life about us, but about Him. Abundant does not mean happy, it means full and plentiful. Full of tribulation, full of hurt, full of joy, full of success, full. Plenty of pain, plenty of heartache, plenty of love, plenty of hope, plenty.

Truly there is no life like that of the Christians, for to be fed by such a one as Almighty God is to have everything infinitely and abundantly. The rest of the world receives a shallow life, filled with shallow love, shallow hope, short life, and a little fun. While we receive amazing grace, eternal life, inexpressible joy, never ending hope, and complete satisfaction. They are all gifts, bought with the precious blood of Christ on the cross when He paid for all our sins, given to those whom He has chosen before the foundation of the world.

Yet with it all comes a life change that is worked into us even as the blessings are poured out on us. We can no longer live as the world does and this brings tribulation and heartache, but take heart, for Christ has overcome the world. “Lord Jesus, please bring the storms that I may be emptied of the things of this world. Wash away my pride, tear off my hypocrisy, and drown me in your Holy Spirit that, though I loose this earthly life, I may live anew in You, to your glory, satisfied in the fountain of your infinity.”