Dear Trekker,
Have you ever had a thought, phrase, word, etc. running through your mind that just won’t leave? Of course you have… we all have! Recently mine has been the following: “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer (“cheer up”); I have overcome the world.”
Some Bible aficionados will recognize these words of the Master spoken to his disciples in the “Upper Room Discourse” just before his arrest and crucifixion, and recalled by John the Apostle in his narrative of Jesus’ life, Chapter 16. Jesus desired to forewarn his disciples, and to assure them too, that He was faithful to them and would emerge victorious, always.
I recall with a nostalgic smile the movie, Music Man. Huckster Harold Hughes reminds the citizens of River City, “My friend, right here, I say you’ve got trouble, trouble, trouble!” Deep trouble in River City—billiards, “medicinal wine from a teaspoon,” “beer from a bottle,” etc. Yes, trouble with a capitol “T”. Only the descriptors change over time, isn’t it true?
No doubt every generation has experienced “tribulation” (read trouble) since the earliest times of man. The Scriptures and history books indeed outline such trouble. Man has not been able to “shape his world” as he would like. Life always is “getting out of hand” and “going downhill fast.” The “slippery slope” seems ever more slippery! “Hope and change” are promised by leaders of every generation, in one phrase or another, but over time each generation seems incapable of change. Sooner or later hope is lost; change (for the better, presumably) flies fleetingly out the window, leaving despair and further distrust in its wake. Jesus said it so distinctly and matter-of-factly: “In the world you will have tribulation.” Trouble, distress, sorrow and misfortune! But…“Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Trekker, the antidote for the distressed life is the life of Jesus. Only He has overcome the world! This is the conclusion of history. Kingdoms rise and wane, but the Jesus life, and the Church, constant will remain!
When John wrote the words of his gospel, the church was already undergoing tribulation, living under the constant threat of persecution. People were persecuted because of the name of Christ. Jesus had warned his disciples: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first” (John 15:18). “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to local councils and flogged in the synagogue. You will stand as witnesses to them (rulers and kings). Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. All men will hate you because of me” (Mark 13:9ff)!
When the world has no King but Caesar, it is in a world of hurt. Yet, at each moment in history, God calls us all to Himself. Our allegiance is to Jesus. The world “hates us” because we are to be loyal to Him only.
So why be of good cheer? Because peace has come in Jesus! “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.” The peace of God so often is beyond understanding. But… it is real. So we “rest” in Him and wait patiently on Him! (John’s whole Upper Room Discourse, John 13-17, is so enlightening.)
The challenge of every age, trekker, is “how do we do this?” When promises are made by good leaders and not kept, the citizens are disillusioned, disappointed, frustrated and downright angry! This is especially true when expectations are high because of promises made. But, wherein does our genuine hope lie? My mind drifts to Psalm 20:7: “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Every age has its “horses and chariots.” Unfortunately, every age also becomes disappointed with the inability and failure to bring stability, peace, etc.
Trekker, to be of good cheer means to be courageous, to be positive in outlook, to be emboldened by God the Holy Spirit for good. Our hope is not in circumstances of the day, good or bad. Our hope is in Jesus alone.
As I write, our failures to live under the law of reason and common sense are rising in flames in Ferguson, MO. We have failed again to escape the clutches of tribulation. Sin confuses; reactions are hateful and full of revenge. Leadership is absent. Envy, resentment and an irrational mentality rule the night.
Something “bad” is always around the corner in a fallen world. When Jesus had spoken these words of challenge and comfort to his disciples, they would soon see the world could do its worst to Jesus and still not defeat him. Oh yes, they eradicated him; but he proved his invincibility three days later! Jesus says in one form or another to each of us in every generation, “the victory I won is yours as well. The world did me in, but I emerged victorious.” So can you!”
Trekker, life may often do its worst to us. If not an ISIS across the shore, it’s the neighbor (or his dog, or his business) next door. Yet, in Christ, we can possess the courage and wisdom of the cross. We will overcome. We can be Jesus with skin on, changing every situation.
Be of good cheer, trekker. Life may appear “bad,” but God is good! In Christ, we have hope!
Your friend,
Jim Meredith
