For a Troubled World
Just watch the news and you will readily agree with
Monica Butts that there’s a lot of “tough stuff” going on in our world
today. It’s easy to get discouraged,
depressed, and even despondent.
Recently, Monica had a conversation with her 11-year-old
son Philip that gave her a different perspective and some peace:
“I had a very deep conversation with Philip on our way
home yesterday about this world and the tough stuff going on, and he gave me a
new hope and perspective on it. Who knew
talking to my 11-year-old would give me hope and joy in a dim time in our
world? I love and cherish these
moments! In Philip’s words, ‘Mom, we
love God and He loves us! He has our
backs in this world, and we do not have to fear because He told us not to. He told us He is for us! We have to remember that and know that we
have heaven waiting for us after this.’”
Thinking about Philip’s wise words, you know what? No matter how difficult it gets in this
world, I think I’m going to be okay. How
about you?
Here’s where Philip gets his information and insight:
Jesus said to His disciples: “These things I have spoken
to you, that in Me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have
overcome the world” (John 16:33).
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only
Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”
(John 3:16).
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for
us, who can be against us? He who did
not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with
Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32).
“Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid’” (Matthew 14:27).
Jesus comforted His troubled followers with these words:
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in
Me. In My Father's house are many
mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for
you. And if I go and prepare a place for
you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you
may be also” (John 14:1-3).
Take note: Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation,”
but “in Me you will have peace” (John 16:33).
Through Jesus, we can have peace with God (Romans 5:1),
for Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for our sins (Ephesians 1:7).
Through Jesus, we can have peace with others, if we’ll
only learn to treat others the way He treats us and forgive them like He has
forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32).
Through Jesus, we can have peace within ourselves: “the
peace of God, which surpasses all understanding [that] will guard [our] hearts
and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
God will give peace, salvation, and eternal life to those
who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins
in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and
are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts
2:38). He will continue to cleanse from
sin and provide peace for those who continue to walk in the light of His Word
(1 John 1:7; Philippians 4:6-7).
In the midst of a troubled world, we can have peace –
peace that comes, as Philip has reminded us, from knowing that God loves us,
“has our backs,” and has promised eternal life to those who trust and obey Him.
Won’t YOU trust and obey Him today?
-- David A. Sargent
* Reminder: Philip is also the grandson of Ricky &
Freda Butts and Tim & Barbara Howell
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