January 9, in this world

"My prayer is not that you take them out of the world, but that you protect them from the evil one."

John 17:15

Jesus prayed for the disciples’ ongoing protection. This references the disciples’ indispensable presence in the world.

Consider a bit of Old Testament history in the form of a question: what do Moses, Elijah, and Jonah all have in common - in a negative sense? They were all discouraged by the world around them, and they each desperately longed for a way out. (Many others from Biblical history could be added to this list.) But, as Robert Mounce has observed, “God does not remove His servants from the world, for it is the specific arena of their ministry."

Jesus cares greatly about your place in the world, because this is where His followers fulfill their calling and live out their witness. This stands as the reason Jesus prayed for His followers’ protection from the evil one, and this proves the indispensable value Jesus places on the presence of His followers in the world. 

The "evil one" references the devil who is especially active in the world. (Some like to discount the devil's presence and interpret "the evil one" as a general evil in the world. However, the original text offers a form of the noun that specifically references the identity of the devil.) And the devil's ultimate desire is to discourage or even destroy your witness for Jesus. But take courage! Jesus' prayer for your protection against the evil one is emphatically answered every day, if we will but trust God's hand of care and provision. 

To expound further on this prayer of protection, John later wrote something very encouraging for the Christians of the first century. In I John 5:18 (referencing the New English Translation), we are reminded that “God protects the one He has fathered, and the evil one cannot touch him." This idea of “touch” expresses that the enemy cannot “lay hold” of the child of God. This reflects the words of Jesus that John recorded in his gospel, “no one can snatch them out of my hand,” when describing the security of the sheep in the fold (John 10:28). 

Although there will be hardships in this world, the enemy cannot touch the child of God. As Paul wrote, “we are pressed with trouble on every side, but not crushed; we are perplexed, but not driven to despair; we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are knocked down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). So, let's remember the indispensable and relentless presence of Christ’s followers in the world until He returns. Let's live accordingly.  

   When this truth truly takes hold of our hearts, (1) we will feel the confidence of Christ over any doubt or fear from the world, (2) we will persevere instead of giving up, and (3) we will not seek the world’s resources for our rest and peace but will daily trust the care and provisions of our Good Shepherd. 

So today, live in the world with confidence that God will use you right where you are. And in the face of this world's discouragement, daily depend upon God's strength through Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Blessings,

Ken

(Read and meditate on 2 Corinthians 4:1-18. This has been called the "do not lose heart" passage, so read and be encouraged).