Daily Devotions
John
John 17 : 1 - 26 "THE BELIEVER IN A HOSTILE WORLD"
Day 263 – John 17
THE BELIEVER IN A HOSTILE WORLD
Why did Jesus pray in such detail? What was the full context of His intercessory prayer? The following text reveals for us just why Jesus prayed as He did. He was fully aware of how hostile the world was.
“I have given them Your word; and the world
has hated them because they are not of the world,
just as I am not of the world.”
John 17:14
Jesus prayed for His Disciples, and not for the world (John 17:9). The simple reason why He did not pray for the world was because it did not want His prayers! We need to remind ourselves that when we speak of “the world” we are speaking specifically of the world that is dominated by the powerful forces of evil, and not the physical world that God had created.
The Disciples did not understand just how wicked the world system was! Imagine a world system where religious leaders plotted the death of Jesus! How much more wicked could that system be?
COPING WITH HATRED
When Jesus came into the world, He gave to them God’s Word. Those who embraced His Word with faith and love immediately withdrew themselves from the world. They were no longer part of the world system! The world would never forgive those who had left them. There was only one feeling for those who had left the world – hatred!
It is not easy to live in a world that hates you. The Apostle Peter wrote an encouraging general letter to all believers who were scattered far and wide because of the persecution campaign launched against believers.
“For we have spent enough of our past lifetime
in doing the will of the Gentiles –
when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness,
revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.
In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not
run with them in the same flood of dissipation,
speaking evil of you.”
1 Peter 4:3-4
Once upon a time, before there was faith, the individual may have been caught up with the world, doing all the things that the world encouraged! However, since genuine faith came through the Word of the Gospel, the believer adopts a new lifestyle. He no longer participates in the activities of the world. He lives differently now. The world retaliates and speaks evil of believers! Such is the hatred of the world.
KEPT FROM THE POWER OF THE DEVIL
How do believers live in a world that is hostile? Jesus knew just how hostile the world could be. He knew that the most important thing to do was to pray for the Disciples. Thus He prayed on and said,
“I do not pray that You should take them out
of the world, but that You should keep them
from the evil one. They are not of the world,
just as I am not of the world.”
John 17:15-16
What would be the easiest way out? Jesus refused to consider that option. The easiest prayer would be to pray for death so that we can escape pain and suffering! This is not a prayer that a disciple should ever make.
Such prayers arise from a heart that is despairing. Such prayers come from a spirit that had given up hope. Such prayers come from a person who has been soundly defeated!
Jesus instead prayed that God would protect them from the evil one. He would do anything and everything against believers. His wrath against them is great. We read about this wrath in the Book of Revelation. Let us read these words soberly.
“Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea!
For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath,
because he knows that he has a short time.And the dragon was enraged with the woman,
and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring,
who keep the commandments of God
and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
Revelation 12:12, 17
Jesus was right to intercede for His Disciples. He was aware that behind the wicked system of the world, was the rage of the Devil himself. War has been declared! The world would always be hostile against all believers who keep the Word of God.
ENGAGED IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE
Let us pray for each other. Let us encourage each other in the Lord. Let us realize that in spiritual warfare, our real enemy is not flesh and blood, but the powerful forces of Satan himself. Let us heed the words of the Apostle Paul concerning how we may wage this warfare successfully. Let these opening words concerning spiritual warfare speak to our hearts urgently.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord
and in the power of His might. Put on the whole
armour of God, that you may be able to stand
against the wiles of the devil.”
Ephesians 6:10-11