Scripture
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.
Quote
Blood stains the steps that lead to thrones.
~Emerson
BUT is a conjunction, a linking word that can be used many ways but in John 16:33, BUT links two contrasting statements. The first statement is: In this world you have tribulation. The Greek word translated tribulation is thle’-pses and it literally means pressure. It can be translated several ways: oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress, straits or pressed together. When you think about, most good things are a by-product of pressure. Electricity, at least in the old days, was produced by huge turbines creating friction. We eat bread daily and bread is made from crushed wheat. Cornbread is made from crushed corn. When Jesus told His disciples to feed the multitudes, He wasn’t joking. Of course, at the time, they were not ready to do so but in time they would feed the multitudes with the BREAD OF LIFE. This is exactly what Peter did on the day of Pentecost and thousands were fed. The LORD wants us to do what He did, give them ourselves but before we can be digested, we have to be crushed.
All the above is true BUT it is not what we want to hear. This is what makes the BUT in John 16:33 so important. Yes, in this world, we are going to have troubles and some will be crushing {heartbreaking} BUT this is not how the story ends. Thank God for the BUT {in contrast} “Cheer up, I have overcome this world.” Our joy will never be in this world; our joy is in the victory Christ has over this world. Jesus was not a killjoy, party pooper, some cynical sourpuss–He laughed, He told jokes, He sang songs–He was no defeatist but the opposite–a victorious overcomer. He is the Captain of our salvation, we go nowhere that He has not already been. All we have to do is follow, our victory is in HIM.
Shortly after writing this blog, I read this verse out of Psalm 38:7 {New Jerusalem Bible}…“Numbed and utterly crushed I groan in distress of heart.” This is a Psalm of David.
I love Sundays, it is my favorite day of the week. Pray for me as I attempt to break the Bread of Life today.