Against All Odds
Opening Prayer
Lord, may Your Spirit and Your Word strengthen my faith today so I can live to please You.
Read REVELATION 3:7-13
[7] “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. [8] I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. [9] I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars-I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. [10] Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. [11] I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. [12] Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name. [13] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
For what is this church commended by Jesus?I love to cheer for the underdog. It’s so inspiring to see the weak conquer the supposedly superior competition. The tenacity and perseverance required is enormous. The church in Philadelphia demonstrated those qualities. They even receive high praise from Christ himself (8).
Philadelphia was famous for its vineyards and volcano but it was the Jews that were causing the greatest tremors. The significant Jewish communities were hostile to the Christians, not least because they considered the worship of a crucified criminal as Messiah to be blasphemous! John delivers strong words as he forecasts the fate of their accusers (9).
A mother whose second daughter was diagnosed with the same disorder as her recently deceased first daughter, said her “suffering was a harrowing invitation to a higher dialogue,” and in the darkest of days she “experienced supernatural strength and peace.” The believers in Philadelphia accepted the invitation for a higher dialogue and, in return for their patient endurance, God promises an open door of opportunity (8).
Apply
Is there a way or situation in which you are being called to patient endurance? If so, pray for needed strength.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for every opportunity, every “open door” You offer to grow in my relationship with You.
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