December 6, 2016
RUNNING ON "E"? REFUEL WITH 33!
John 16:16–33
Anthony Obey
Central Truth
Whether you’re going through a tough time, or life is peaceful right now, you should fuel yourself for trials to come with the joy of the Lord as your strength. Do this by persevering in standing on God’s promises and pursuing Him daily.
Key Verse | John 16:33
"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
John 16:16–33
Your Sorrow Will Turn into Joy
16 A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” 17 So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” 18 So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” 19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
I Have Overcome the World
25 I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 1 16:27 Some manuscripts from the Father 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”
29 His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! 30 Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Dive Deeper | John 16:16–33
As this passage of Scripture highlights, life is often full of sorrow. Sadly, many allow life's hardships to fill them with despair and drain them of all hope. As Christians, we can rest in the truth of this passage—that Jesus turns sorrow into joy.
Before He was arrested and crucified, Jesus was with His disciples preparing them for the sorrow to come. He encouraged them not to be overcome with grief, but to remember they would see Him again. This passage is deeply encouraging to me because it provides simple truth to lean on during tough times that threaten to drain me of my spiritual strength.
My wife and I have experienced painful deaths and brokenness in our family. That kind of sorrow never seems fair. We often find ourselves questioning why we haven't been blessed with an abundance of godly family like others. We do everything we can to share the gospel with our family. It's painful to know that, ultimately, we can't control the decisions of others.
But God restores our joy! In verse 33, He promises that in HIM we have peace! And when we feel lonely, He offers this encouragement: "Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full." (John 16:23b-24)
Jesus expresses this great truth with the powerful example of a mother's pain turning to joy during the birth of her child. Similarly, Christ promises to transform our sorrows into joy. We only have to lean into Him through prayer and reading His Word.
Regardless of your current situation, I encourage you to dig deeper into your relationship with Christ; there, eternal, transcendent joy is found. With the joy of the Lord as your strength, you can stand firm through the tough times.
Discussion Questions
1. How can you apply the “3-P” equation (Prayer + God’s Promises x Perseverance = Joy of the Lord) to a trial you're currently walking through?
2. Can you remember a time in your life when God turned your sorrow into joy?
3. Identify one or two biblical characters who encourage you in the way they persevered and honored God during tough times.
Treasure Hunt: Who responded to his tough times by saying this, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”?