“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
Many years ago, we traveled to China. When I returned home, one thing remained foremost in my mind. When I would lie down at night, I would see masses of faces before me. The thing that grieved me most was that when looking into their eyes, there was a look of hopelessness. It was different only with the Christians we met. They were full of joy, even though they worshiped in secret for fear of persecution and even death. They had peace and hope in Christ.
This world seems hopeless. When we look around at our society, it’s easy to feel a sense of hopelessness, because there is no possible way to find peace in the world. It is, however, very easy to find hopelessness, discouragement, and despair. We don’t have to search for these things; they just seem to find us. I am so glad however, that greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. Problems are on every side. Evil is rampant and increasing at an accelerated pace. But, greater is He that is in me. Often, I can’t look around and find the courage to say that everything’s going to be all right—not until I remember that greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.
Paul Harvey said one time, “The thing to remember in times like these is that there have always been times like these.” How do I know it is okay? Because, greater is He that is in me. I look behind me and recall that He’s always been there in tough situations. In circumstances and places where
I couldn’t possibly find peace within myself, He’s been there.
We don’t have enough human resources to produce peace, joy, inner strength, wisdom, mercy, or grace. These things can’t be manufactured on an assembly line or in our minds. Maybe some of them can be found in the best of surroundings and circumstances, but it doesn’t last long. It can only be lasting if you know that greater is He that is in you.That’s how I know it is okay. He’s been where we’ve been in the past. He’s where we are now in the present. He will be where we are in the future before we ever get there. He’s proven Himself already and He won’t change now.What a relief! There is something, no, more like Someone, that is greater within me and He helps me day by day, often, hour by hour, and much of the time, actually, most of the time, moment by moment.
