A New Day

By: Pastor Johnie Akers     

John 16:33, “In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”  If you drive an automobile of any kind, then you ride upon tires made possible by one man’s genius.  Furthermore, molded into the sidewalls of your tires could well be the name of the man responsible for the development of the rubber tire—Goodyear.  You see Charles Goodyear discovered the process of vulcanization, thus beginning the rubber tire industry that now provides the means by which vehicles of all makes and models can enjoy a smooth, comfortable ride as well as good traction and even increased gas mileage. Yet what many do not know is that Charles Goodyear died penniless.  Infringements on his patent rights plus legal and financial problems robbed him of the due reward of his genius.  What a travesty.  Not fair?  I cannot disagree.  As with Mr. Goodyear, life takes its unfortunate turns and so often leaves us in a wake of disappointment and even despair.  Jesus himself acknowledged in John 16:33, “In this world you will have tribulation.”  Trials come to us all.  It is a stark reality that all generations must face.  But the remaining portion of our Scripture lesson suggests a bright hope in spite of what this world brings.  Jesus continues, “But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”  It has been said, what one person can do, I can do.  Jesus overcame sin, sickness, disease, death and hell through the cross and subsequent resurrection.  If He overcame all of that, then I, through Him, can live an overcoming life in spite of what trials I may face.  Certainly our struggles do not rise to the level of what Jesus bore upon the cross, by carrying the sins of the world, dying, descending into hell and then rising from the dead on the third day.  Therefore I can resoundingly say, if He overcame, through the power of the Holy Spirit, what He did, then there is no obstacle in my path today that I cannot overcome by the same power. Life will never be fair.  But through a deep, covenant relationship with Christ Jesus, we can and will overcome as we walk in new determination and new faith, into the light of this new day.