A Little While

Text: John 16:16-24

I pray you were encouraged by Ray Dash's sermon yesterday. I sure was! My personal big takeaway was to go to Jesus first. The disciples did not understand Jesus' words, "A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me." But instead of asking Jesus what He meant by it, they discussed it with one another.

I'm reminded of the familiar truth of 1 Peter 5;6-7: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." Peter tells us in chapter 2 that we are God's chosen people and a royal priesthood! God wants us to run to Him first. He is our good and loving Father!

Jesus told us we will have trouble and we will experience suffering in the world (John 16:33). And we have an adversary, the devil, who is trying to destroy our lives (1 Peter 5:8). Scripture is clear that it is critical that we have a church community helping us stay true to our purpose and mission in life. But we must train our minds to run to Jesus first in every circumstance and situation.

Will you join me today in running to Jesus first? Rather than complaining about the difficulties and frustrations in life, cast your anxieties on Him.  As you pray, thank God for this truth: "He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:32). He promised to be with you! He promised to turn your sorrow to joy after the trial you are experiencing has done its work!

"Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way" (James 1:2-4, The Message).