“But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.”
John 16:4
The Christian faith never promised a life without trials. In John 16, Jesus began to prepare His disciples for the persecution, opposition, and sorrow they would later come to face as they sojourned in their walk with God. This was not to scare them but to strengthen them. He told them in advance so they wouldn’t be caught off guard. As believers today, those words are still valid for us. His words still echo: “Be prepared”.
By now, we know that following Christ doesn’t exempt us from life’s storms—it equips us to stand and prevail through them. Hallelujah! Whether it’s rejection for your faith, spiritual battles, or seasons of testing, the Christian journey requires courage, endurance, and readiness. Hence, Christ forewarned us against what lies ahead.
Preparation means being rooted in His Word, led by His Spirit, and anchored in His promises. The more prepared you are spiritually, the less shaken you will be when life hits unexpectedly. When we remember what Jesus said, we don’t panic—we persevere.
Charge: God has prepared us through His Word. Even in the face of life’s challenges, His Word is there for our guidance.
Further Study: Matthew 25:1-13; Ephesians 6:11-13; 1 Thessalonians 5:6; 2 Timothy 4:2; 1 Peter 5:8-9; 2 Peter 3:14.
Happy Sunday.
