Easter Week Devotion by Barbara Baker
Good morning! Today the Lord is encouraging us in John 16:33:
“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
I woke too early this morning as my physical heart skipped a beat. I have a condition called atrial fibrillation, so this can sometimes happen. Upon waking, I found myself praying that my spiritual heart would never skip a beat. It is important to me that I stay steadfast in my walk—no wavering, no doubts—a strong commitment that envelopes my spirit in God’s peace and keeps my eyes upward, anticipating eternal reward.
It struck me that in this verse, Jesus didn’t say, “I will overcome the world.” He hadn’t been to the Cross yet, so where was His victory? How was He saying, “I have overcome,” as an accomplished fact? Jesus was the Overcomer from the beginning of time! From the first breath spoken over creation in Genesis, the Gospel of Salvation—the plan for all mankind to find peace at the foot of the Cross—was all in place.
The Blood of Jesus on the Cross wasn’t an afterthought when mankind fell from grace. The God of the Universe knew we would need our Savior before He set time into motion. Grace is our solid foundation, our Rock for Eternity, and His gift to us! Our responsibility is to stay steady, don’t miss a beat, and rest in His peace.
“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us.”
Romans 8:37
Jesus loves you! Me, too