During the Blitz on London on December 29, 1940, a bomb destroyed a warehouse near St. Paul’s Cathedral. When Biddy Chambers received the news that all 40,000 copies of Oswald Chambers’ books stored there were lost—which she had compiled and edited but not insured—she set down her teacup and remarked to her daughter, “Well, God has used the books for His glory, but now that is over. We’ll wait and see what God will do now.”
Perhaps Biddy was remembering what her late husband, Oswald, had written at the start of the First World War. He noted how Jesus had spoken to His disciples about “the inevitability of peril” so that when horrible things happened, they would “not be scared” because He was with them.
Jesus told His friends, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). He wanted them to remain strong in their faith in His Father so they could withstand the trials and challenges they would endure.
Biddy’s quiet confidence in God carried her through, and eventually the books were reprinted and became classics for generations. We too can find encouragement and hope in Jesus’ promises that He has overcome the world. We know that He won’t leave us (14:18) and will give us peace (v. 27), no matter what we face.
How do you respond to Biddy’s reaction when she heard the devastating news of the books burning? How could you follow her example of trusting God?
Loving Jesus, please help me to “overcome the world” in my daily life as I share Your love with others.
As we face uncertainty in this world (as was the case with the disciples in John 16), receiving words of comfort can be like a two-sided coin. One side is stamped with the words, “Take heart!” (v. 33) or “Fear not!” We can take this command seriously and trust God in the face of all kinds of fears. Then we see the other side of the comfort coin: “I [Jesus] have overcome the world” (v. 33). The words of Christ, prophetic and anticipatory at the time they were spoken, have even greater meaning today on this side of the cross and resurrection. Jesus was indeed victorious! He conquered death, and because He did, “We are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). No matter what we face, because of our faith in Christ, God will be with us and will give us peace.
