inspiration from Revelation - Day 3 of 10

Read Revelation 2:8-11.

“Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:8-11 ESV)

There are some Christian preachers out in the world who teach a prosperity gospel. It is a preaching of health and wealth. Such teaching emphasizes that God's will for His people is happiness. I wonder what they do with a verse like “do not fear what you are about to suffer.” Suffering is an inevitable. It in fact marks the life of a follower of Jesus. Now this does not mean we as Jesus followers do not experience great joy in our Lord and in our faith. We do! But such joy happens in good times and bad times, in praise and sorrow. True joy doesn't depend on “happenings” as does “happiness.”

As Paul taught the Romans, “...we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 3:3b-5 ESV)

This is the crown of life we receive—God's love poured into our hearts.

In what area of your life is God speaking specifically to you, “Do not fear, [your name]” and “Be faithful, [your name]?” How does God's love poured into your heart help you to endure whatever you are going through? Whose faith may you encourage with these words of life today?