JUNE 6, 2016

“Do you not see how necessary a world of pains and troubles is to school an intelligence and make it a soul?” 
― John Keats

2 CHRONICLES 20-22

A massive army approached Jerusalem and Jehoshaphat seeks God...in the end God rescues them as promised...

14Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly.

15He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’ ”

JOHN 16:1-15

Jesus promises the spirit to guide the disciples through the days of suffering...

1“All this I have told you so that you will not fall away. 2They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God. 3They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. 4I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned you about them. I did not tell you this from the beginning because I was with you, 5but now I am going to him who sent me. None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things. 7But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9about sin, because people do not believe in me;10about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

JOURNAL 

Here are two outcomes that seem to contradict. Old Testament God rescues and gives the spoils of war...New Testament death and suffering are promised. It is somewhat discouraging to read...I want to know the outcome to suffering will be earthly reward. The reality is that may be what God provides...but it also may not be my destiny. However, Jesus promises that the spirit will comfort me and guide me through all trials.

33“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” 

~ JOHN 16:33