Monday October 12th, 2020
Memorize: John 16:22 Berean Literal Bible (BLB)
« Therefore you also indeed have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. »
Read: John 16:17-24 God’s Words Translation (GWT)
17 Some of his disciples said to each other, “What does he mean? He tells us that in a little while we won’t see him. Then he tells us that in a little while we will see him again and that he’s going to the Father.”
18 So they were asking each other, “What does he mean when he says, ‘In a little while’? We don’t understand what he’s talking about.”
19 Jesus knew they wanted to ask him something. So he said to them, “Are you trying to figure out among yourselves what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you won’t see me, and in a little while you will see me again’?
20 I can guarantee this truth: You will cry because you are sad, but the world will be happy. You will feel pain, but your pain will turn to happiness.
21 A woman has pain when her time to give birth comes. But after the child is born, she doesn’t remember the pain anymore because she’s happy that a child has been brought into the world.
22 “Now you’re in a painful situation. But I will see you again. Then you will be happy, and no one will take that happiness away from you.
23 When that day comes, you won’t ask me any more questions. I can guarantee this truth: If you ask the Father for anything in my name, he will give it to you.
24 So far you haven’t asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive so that you can be completely happy.
Message
God is not a democrat.
As we have seen in a previous study, He doesn’t really need numbers to work; He just needs a few faithful people.
It may appear that being on the side of God puts you in a ‘minority group’ like Joshua and Caleb among the twelve spies (Numbers 13) but the truth is, there would always be joy in the end. Numbers 14:30 records that eventually only these two were able to access the Promised Land.
God wants you to keep in mind that there is an earthly and eternal joy awaiting you if you take a stand for Him.
No doubt, you may suffer many persecutions from the sinning majority, but through it all, you must resist the urge to join them because their judgments are not always correct on matters of godliness.
« 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you”. »
Matthew 5:11-12 NASB
In the text above and the Bible reading of today, Jesus assures His disciples of an eternal joy after their earthly trials.
Paul and Barnabas also said something similar to the people of Lystra, Iconium and Antioch in Acts 14:22.
Jesus wants you to maintain your decision to bear His cross and follow Him as a member of the faithful minority in the world.
In John 16:20, He says whatever sorrow you face shall be turned into joy.
Believe the Lord and you shall be established (2 Chronicles 20:20). Ensure you are always on His side.
Never think of joining the world because you cannot beat them at their game.
Remember the parable of the ten virgins! Stay on the side of God.
A divine minority is the actual majority.
Prayer point: Father, by You grace, let me remain with the divine minority. Please, do not let me miss my moments of joy on earth and in eternity in the mighty name of Jesus.
Author: Pst E. A. Adeboye.
Text edited by Naomie
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