“Jesus answered … ‘In this world you will have trouble.’” John 16:33
I wonder if the disciples were shocked when Jesus said this? After all, by this time they had seen Jesus perform many miracles—water into wine, multiplying bread and fish, people healed, and others raised from the dead. Why would the disciples expect trouble when God could work miracles? Furthermore, Jesus had told them to ask, “for anything in my name, and I will do it” (John 14:14).
The real key is in the first half of the verse, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.” In Jesus we have peace. We don’t necessarily have peace in our circumstances but we can always have peace in Jesus. God could prevent difficulties but rather he chooses to let us experience his peace in the midst of them. Being at peace in a difficult situation is a miracle in itself because it shows the world we’re trusting in God. It also adds to the devil’s demise. When we trust God in difficult circumstances we demonstrate our belief in something greater and more enduring than temporary relief from our problems. We believe God is doing a work that has eternal consequence. We remember Paul’s words, “what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).
Nevertheless, it’s important for us to believe God not only has the ability to perform miracles but from time to time, will perform miracles. This gives us the faith to know God is indeed powerful and compassionate. However, whether God intervenes directly in our circumstances or not we know, “his works are perfect, and all his ways are just” (Deuteronomy 32:4).
Let’s choose to trust him and avail ourselves of his peace.
