Do Not Be Afraid…

As we look at the letter Jesus instructed John to write to the church at Smyrna we learned yesterday that Jesus understands what it’s like to suffer. Today we read,
"Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer….Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life." Revelation 2:10

When Jesus says do not be afraid He’s not saying to pretend that suffering doesn’t hurt because it does. He is not saying that life isn’t hard sometimes. Because it is. He is saying that you can be sure that ultimately He will not let you down. That’s His promise to us, He will not let you down. He is saying even when you face difficulties, even suffering; you don’t have to be afraid. Why? Because God is with us.

The message to the church at Smyrna was to remain faithful during suffering because God is in control and his promises are reliable. Jesus never says that by being faithful to him we will avoid troubles, suffering, and persecution. Rather, we must be faithful to him in our sufferings. Only then will our faith prove to be genuine. We remain faithful by keeping our eyes on Christ and on what He promises us now and in the future.

When you face tough times, when you feel like you’re about to be persecuted for your faith at your job or in your family, when you’re going through a time of suffering I want you to hear in your mind what Jesus said to the church at Smyrna and what He is saying to us today.“Don’t be afraid of what you’re about to suffer.”  Even though you know you might suffer, you will suffer in this life, you’re not to be afraid.  He will always be right there with you.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle