Good morning,
One of the books that I grew up on , Pilgrim’s Progress, was written by a godly man who faced many very hard lessons in life before he wrote the book. The book was an allegory about living the Christian life that has helped people face the reality of what it means to follow Jesus. As one part of his story about the journey of life, he wrote about some pilgrims who were traveling on the road as the sun went down. As they came close to a safe place to stay for the night, they began to hear some lions roaring at them on either side of the road. They were all terrified until their godly guide told them, “Don’t be afraid. The lions have been chained.” Even though the lions could make a lot of noise, they could not actually reach the pilgrims to attack and eat them. The pilgrims stayed on the road and arrived safely at the place of safety for the night. This godly writer had learned through many years of experience that even when his enemies were allowed to make a lot of noise, they were limited in what they could do by the Shepherd that was watching over them.
When Jesus was talking to his disciples the night before he was to be crucified, he talked to them about his peace. Jesus knew what God’s plan was all about and he knew that what would happen in the next few hours and days would be the most important event in all of time and eternity. Jesus knew that these times of trouble and pain would be his to live if any of the rest of us were ever to be able to live with God and with one another in eternity. Although Jesus had to deal with the reality of the pain he was about to face he also knew that it was only in this way that he could overcome the hate filled prince who saw himself in control of our world. Jesus knew that his enemy was chained by the power of God and that his trials were to be a part of the reward that he would receive for his loving sacrifice. Jesus knew that the same would be true for all of us who would follow him in traveling the road of faith in the darkness of sin and fear that sin has caused for all mankind. The cross would forever rob our enemy of his claim on our souls. Dear Lord, help us to remember that our enemies may roar and threaten, but the blood stained chains that bind them will never be broken by any of our enemies. May his peace keep us on the road of faith until at last we arrive safely home.
John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Roy Wisner
