“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world”- John 16:33 (NIV).
Those who happen to live in temperate climate lands will long have noted how moods tend to differ depending on seasons. With the beginning of fall and through winter there is a tendency for many people there to experience gloom. And why? Fall comes with trees dropping leaves as a cold wind takes over gradually forcing many indoors as winter finally locks on. Once the cold is all over all one can do is bundle up, and bid time.
Indeed, once springs breaks and flowers in their myriad of fresh colors burst out of the soils, the mood suddenly changes. Spring comes with joy. It’s a joy to see all the children who had been held up indoors sprint out to feel life, the soils breathing a new life with plants, the air smelling fresh, swirling with creatures. Spring rolls on to summer and with the sun above, life is experienced to the full.
When Jesus reminds us to be of “ good cheer” he is not unmindful of the world we live in. He points out that the world we live in is full of “tribulations” but we should still be cheerful, in spite of all. Yes, it is difficult to be cheerful through fall and winter, with ugly winds blasting through with a freezing cold, the ground bare of anything, and everyone held up indoors. But because of faith in Jesus, one remains steadfast, assured that the wintry season, with all its cold will surely pass.
We remain of good cheer because in spite of the harshness of the season, we know it will pass and spring will eventually break out, the sun will burst through the dark clouds. Every life there is certainly experiences harsh seasons every now and then. There are those who let the gloom of the seasons force them down with despondency. But those who believe in Christ Jesus remain of “good cheer” in spite of the season, because they know whatever they may be experiencing, all will pass, and it will be the spring of life back again.
Prayer for today: Lord Farther God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, through the seasons of life, help me to remain of good cheer, whatever the season, because of the faith I have in your son, Lord Jesus Christ!
Related upcoming events
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28/04/2024 - 29/04/2024 All day"The Lord is my shepherd!" (Psalm 23:1)
Psalm 23 of David is perhaps one of the best prayers ever written, with nuggets and inspirations, of benefit to us since and
ever before. “The LORD is my shepherd, “David begins.” I lack nothing” (vv 1). What is it that you lack? In his life David had started out as a shepherd, and he knew very well, that a shepherd’s job is to watch over his sheep, feed and water them, and since the Lord is our shepherd, we his sheep shall lack nothing.Verse 2 -3 says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” This exactly what a good shepherd does; he takes his sheep to the best fodder, ensuring that his sheep are well fed and rested. When the sheep are restless the good shepherd is troubled. Our God desires and is pleased when we are at peace.
Sometimes we may all find ourselves going through a storm. In Verse 4- 5, David says, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” The Christian life is not without difficulties, but here David points us to God as our comforter and deliverer. We always have the staff of prayer to lean on.
In Verse 5, he writes, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” In his tumultuous life, David had to battle with many enemies, ranging from King Saul, to foreigners and members of his own family. He knew a lot about betrayal. And, we too, may face enemies no less, from those that oppose us in our workplace for their ambition’s sake, to those who are not pleased because of the Gospel we preach. Yet here, just as David, we are assured that victory is on our side- this is why our cup overflows.
“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (vv 6). The one who walks with God has a fresh smile ever, for God is with him. The blessings of God are with him wherever he goes.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham,
maker of heaven and earth, as David prayed in Psalm 23, may I not be troubled, for you are my shepherd ever watching over me and your goodness goes ahead of me!
