“ESCAPE OR PEACE”
OUR DAILY BREAD (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
READ: John 16 (Focus vs. 25–33)
MEMORY VERSE
“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
BACKGROUND
“ESCAPE.” The billboard shouts the benefits of having a hot tub installed. It gets my attention—and gets me thinking. My wife and I have talked about getting a hot tub . . . someday. It’d be like a vacation in our backyard! Except for the cleaning. And the electric bill.
And . . . suddenly, the hoped-for escape starts to sound like something I might need escape from.
Still, that word entices so effectively because it promises something we want: Relief. Comfort. Security. Escape. It’s something our culture tempts and teases us with in many ways.
Now, there’s nothing wrong with resting or a getaway to someplace beautiful. But there’s a difference between escaping life’s hardships and trusting God with them.
In John 16, Jesus tells His disciples that the next chapter of their lives will test their faith. “In this world you will have trouble,” He summarizes at the end. And then He adds this promise, “But take heart! I have overcome the world” (v. 33).
Jesus didn’t want His disciples to cave in to despair. Instead, He invited them to trust Him, to know the rest He provides: “I have told you these things,” he said, “so that in me you may have peace” (v. 33).
Jesus doesn’t promise us a pain-free life. But He does promise that as we trust and rest in Him, we can experience a peace that’s deeper and more satisfying than any escape the world tries to sell us.
By: Adam Holz
INSIGHT
After three years of following their Teacher, seeing His miracles, and expecting to see Him overthrow the Roman occupation, His disciples were confused when He told them He was leaving (John 16:5–7).
But that’s not all. He also said that in His absence, they’d have trouble (vv. 1–4, 16–18). Sensing their alarm, Jesus signaled that before long they’d understand God’s plan to overcome the oppressive world rule of His enemy (v. 33).
Only after He’d risen from the dead and sent His Spirit would they understand the self-sacrificing goodness of God. Jesus exposed the accusing lies of Satan (v. 11), overcame with love the worst of our sins, and conquered death by showing His power over the grave
Learn more about the life and times of Jesus.
By: Mart DeHaan
APPLICATION
How have you seen invitations to escape in the world around you recently? How well do you think they might deliver on those promises?
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name He will give it to you…Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”
John 16:23-24
We may all be in the same storm but it makes a difference the boat you are sailing in.
The World promises Happiness. The WORD guarantees JOY – pr
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (My Re-Emphasis from Post)
“Jesus doesn’t promise us a pain-free life. But He does promise that as we trust and rest in Him, we can experience a peace that’s deeper and more satisfying than any escape the world tries to sell us.”
PRAYER
“Father, help me to trust You so that I may find peace and rest in You.”
*YOUR TAKE? 
TODAY’s HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
THIS JOY THAT I HAVE…” Shirley Ceasar
This Joy I have
This Joy I have, the world didn’t give to me
This Joy I have, the world didn’t give to me
Oh this Joy I have the world didn’t give to me
The world didn’t give it
The world can’t take it away oh yes
This Love I have,
This Love I have, the world didn’t give to me
This Love I have, the world didn’t give to me
Oh this Love I have, the world didn’t give to me
The world didn’t give it
The world can’t take it away oh yes
This Peace I have
This Peace I have, the world didn’t give to me
This Peace that I have, the world didn’t give to me
Oh this Peace that I have the world didn’t give to me
The world didn’t give it
The world can’t take it away oh yes
This Joy I have….
This Love I have
This Peace I have…
the world didn’t give it
the world can’t take it away
Wait a minute
Oh let me tell you something:
You know that there are many things in this life
that we have that people can take from us
the robber can break in our home
snatch our pocket books
The man can come and repossess your house
repossess your automobile
but I’m glad tonight
that we’ve got something on the inside
that man can’t take from us
For Jesus paid the price
went out on Calvary
and paid the debt
and this is what He left back here
This Holy Ghost I have….
This Holy Ghost I have
This Holy Ghost I have…
The world didn’t give it
the world can’t take it away
Somebody said well:
It cannot be repossessed
The thief cannot steal it
Well who gave it to you
What is this that you have
and who gave it to you
Nobody but Jesus
Nobody but Jesus
Nobody but Jesus
He gave me
Peace
Joy
Love…
I dare you to try Him
I dare you to try Him
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (THIS WEEK)
THE BOOK OF MATTHEW – KNOWING JESUS THROUGH THE LENS OF MATTHEW