[:en]Our Daily Scripture – 4/17/22[:]

[:en]SCRIPTURE:  JOHN 16

Bible Verses:

“But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:7-8)

“Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” (John 1616:24)

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Jesus warned his own disciples about the forthcoming persecution by the religious people out of ignorance and hatred.  He gave his Word to encourage them because he was going to leave them.

THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (vs. 5-16)

God is sending the Counselor to convict the world of guilt in regard to sin, righteousness and judgment.  The Spirit teaches truth from the word.

THE DISCIPLES’ GRIEFS WILL TURN TO JOY (vs. 17-35)

The disciples were disturbed and discouraged knowing that Jesus was going to leave them.  But Jesus promised that they could see him when the Spirit came to dwell with them.

Christ compares the events of his suffering to the birth of a child.  A woman suffered pain while giving birth but when the baby is born, her anguish turns to joy.

When Jesus suffered on the cross, the disciples did lament but their sorrows were changed to joy he was resurrected.

Jesus emphasized the importance of asking – that is prayer.  Jesus taught the disciples to pray.  The Holy Spirit can lead us to pray to those things God wants to give us.

The disciples firmly believe that Christ was from God.  What a comfort to hear Christ say: “In this world, you will have trouble.  But take heart!.  I have overcome the world”. (John 16:18).  We can have peace in Christ.

THOUGHTS:

  1.  God assures us that we are not alone because he had sent the Holy Spirit to teach, comfort, help and guide us.
  2. In spite of the inevitable struggles in troublesome times, synchronize our relationship with Christ and claim the peace of God with his victory as our comfort.
  3. Today, Jesus is alive.  He does not replace our sorrow with joy but he transfers our sorrows into joy.  So we have to rejoice always.

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