Do You Promise? - Monday Manna

The purpose of Monday Manna to get together and get to know Christ more through His Word. Each Thursday, a Bible verse to ponder will be posted, either here or at my dear friend Vonnie's blog, My Back Door. The following Monday, those participating will post their thoughts on the verse at their own blogs and link up at the bottom of the post in the Mr. Linky  gadget. The main purpose is to chew on the same Scripture and learn from one another.

I'm hosting this week.

This week's verse is a well-known one that just has a way of making me ponder.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Looking forward to your thoughts. Mine are below.

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God has a lot of promises in His Word. And I hold onto them desperately...a lot. He has plans for me (Jeremiah 29:11).  If I trust in Him he will straighten my paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).  His compassions never fail (Lamentations 3:22). He will strengthen and uphold me (Isaiah 41:10). He will give His faithful servants peace (Psalm 85:8). He will provide his believers with His Holy Spirit (John 14:15-18).  He will always be with us. (Matthew 28:20) When things are tough, or seem to be falling apart in front of and around me, these are wonderful promises to remember.

But not all of his promises bring thoughts of glee and relief to my heart. There are promises in God's word I'd just as soon forget, to be honest. Promises that can bring me distress rather than joy - if I look at them from the wrong perspective.

In this world you will have trouble.

I may be the only one who feels this way - but this promise, straight from Jesus' mouth, does NOT give me warm fuzzies all over or make me dance the jig. In fact, it makes me want to crawl under the covers and stay there. But even if I do (and in some cases, especially because I do!), the troubles will still come. After all, He promised.

But, praise Him, He doesn't leave it with that. He gives us this promise, but follows is by a command and a statement that make at least a LITTLE more likely to crawl out of that hose.

But take heart! I have overcome the world.

Take heart. Fear not. Don't worry. Anyone can say that, but when your Heavenly Father uses those words, there's no reason not to heed his advice. Because He is in control. And, as it says right afterward, He has OVERCOME the world. He's the winner. He has already triumphed. And because we are His children--and He is WITHIIN us, we have too. And THAT'S a promise I'm delighted to hold onto.

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Thanks for reading! Be sure to link up below in the gadget with your thoughts, and read others' reflections on this verse. Thanks!




Paving Rough Roads With God's Presence