Day 12 Advent Devotional | December 15th
John 16:33
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
The Hiding Place is a memoir containing the experiences of Corrie ten Boom and her sister Betsy during World War II. These ladies assisted and hid their Jewish friends and neighbors in their home during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Their defiance led to imprisonment at Ravensbrük, a Nazi concentration camp. The conditions in the camp were atrocious with cramped barracks, sickness and flea infestation. The faith of Corrie and Betsy was definitely tested and Corrie often had difficulty seeing the Lord’s hand at work. It was Betsy who had a keen sense of how Jesus was overcoming their trials. Betsy was convinced to even give thanks for the multitude of fleas inhabiting their straw bedding. Corrie thought she was wrong; only later did they realize that they were able to not only keep a bible they had smuggled into the camp, but also hold bible study and times of worship because the guards would not come into the barracks because of the fleas.
What does it mean to me that Jesus has overcome the world? It means that in moments that don’t make sense by the world’s standards, that Jesus himself is going to take the broken moment and shine his love and purpose into it. Much like on that first Christmas: an unwed mother, a long journey on a donkey when she is 9 months pregnant, no room in the inn, giving birth where animals sleep. None of this makes sense or is ideal to us living in the world. But the Father had a plan, and not only was it fulfilled, it was proof that the Father doesn’t see hopeless situations. The Lord brings beauty from ashes and death to life in ways that are difficult for us to understand and see because we occupy this temporary time and space. But never fear, the One who brings order and purpose to chaos has come into the world and into our hearts.
Prayer: Lord, at times it is difficult to see your plan. Help me in those times to rest in your peace, and trust your goodness. You have overcome every difficult situation I find myself in. Thank you, and help me to take courage. I dearly love you, in Jesus’ name, amen.