These words were spoken by Jesus to his disciples over 2,000 years ago. It is just as true today as it was then. The reasons for the trouble are the same as then and have been the same since man’s walk outside of the garden. You would think that the followers of Jesus would understand it by now but we still need to be reminded that the world is our enemy and desires to cause us hurt.

The world by its fallen nature is the cause of much trouble and hard times. In addition to its opposition in a general way the natural world presents violent storms, floods, earthquakes, and extremes in temperature. Man is constantly battling it forces.

Unrepentant man creates enough blunders of their own. Hate that leads to violence and even murder is rampant. The atrocities made against the innocence are widespread and the hurt caused by humans to other humans makes us afraid to walk on some streets or visit some towns. It has become so bad in our world today that “to carry” now means to walk armed like desperadoes of the old West.

Lets not forget the evil that pervades our world. History reveals despot after despot and mass murders and genocides. Cain versus Abel repeats itself in grander and grander scales. Our own age recalls Hitler and Stalin.  This year it is Kim Jung-un of North Korea, or the leaders of Syria or Isis. Its the invasion of Ukraine and the constant threat of terrorism. Jesus spoke of his day and the day to come and the day that’s here.

What we forget as Christians oftentimes is that the world hates us. We think because we enjoy so many wonderful things that the world is our friend. It is not. It hates us and wishes to destroy us. Hear Jesus in John 15:19,  “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.”

The moment we claimed Jesus as our own and accepted his invitation to follow him the world turned against us. In this world we have trouble but Jesus reminds us of an important point, “…but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

The world cannot win. It can make life difficult or even end it but it cannot win. The only thing the world can really threaten us with is death and Jesus has overcome death for us all. In a world of trouble, find peace in the Lord of the world.