“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 NKJV
Welcome to the 39th Weekly Devotional Recap of the year. This week, we learned to rejoice always, have peace in chaos, and live selflessly. We also learned that God is with us and that there is more to life than our wants.
Monday’s devotional reminded us that God is with us. We have all gone through difficult seasons that make us question God’s presence. However, we must know that God is with us all the time (Matthew 28: 20). God is our Shepherd whether He lays us down in green pastures or when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23: 1-4). We should meditate and stand on God’s words regardless of our circumstances (Psalm 119: 89).
On Tuesday, we learned to rejoice always (Philippians 4: 4). As believers, we must understand that a life without challenges is impossible because we live in a fallen world. However, we should rejoice because Christ has overcome the world (John 16: 33). Like Jesus and Paul, we will surely face persecution while evangelising (Galatians 5:22). But the Holy Spirit empowers us to be joyful through it all. We are set apart from the world because our joy is not circumstantial. It is a fruit of our born-again spirit!
Wednesday’s devotional encouraged us to have peace amid chaos. Jesus, our perfect example, slept in a storm. That is the attitude every believer should have toward the challenges in their lives (Matthew 8: 23-26). We must esteem God’s word over our feelings and experiences, and to do that, we must pray (Mark 14: 35-36), remind ourselves of our eternal realities in Christ (Romans 5: 1-2) and meditate on His word (2 Timothy 3: 16-17).
On Thursday, we were encouraged to live selflessly. A believer’s life ought to be characterised by selfless acts towards those we care about and even those who mistreat us (Matthew 5: 43-48). Jesus and the Samaritan man are great examples of people who looked out for the interest of others (Philippians 2: 7, Luke 10: 30-37). Our salvation is based on Christ’s selflessness. We have Christ’s Spirit that enables us to love, and we should yield to it.
Friday’s teaching reminded us that there is more to life than material things, temporary happiness or living for our wants (Matthew 6: 25). As believers, we should be consistently grateful to God as gratitude brings satisfaction (Psalm 103: 1-4). Man’s purpose is to glorify God, and the way to fulfil that is to find satisfaction in Him and get rid of jealousy, pride, covetousness and unhealthy competition.
Our anchor scripture reminds us that challenges will always come. However, our hope is in Christ because He has overcome the world. From today, let us endeavour to stay calm amidst life’s storms and always rejoice.
Have a great weekend!
Bible Reading Plan: 2 Chronicles 28; 2 Kings 16-17