Time Out! Devotions

Revelation 2:9-11 (NCV)

⁹ I know your troubles and that you are poor, but really you are rich! I know the bad things some people say about you. They say they are Jews, but they are not true Jews. They are a synagogue that belongs to Satan. ¹⁰ Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer for ten days. But be faithful, even if you have to die, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 Everyone who has ears should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. Those who win the victory will not be hurt by the second death.

Everyone would like to feel good and live comfortably, but pain is part of life — and it is not easy to suffer, no matter what the cause. Jesus commended the church at Smyrna for their faith in the midst of suffering. He then encouraged them that they need not fear the future if they remained faithful.

If you are experiencing difficult times, don’t let them turn you away from God. Instead, let them draw you toward greater faithfulness. Trust Him and remember your heavenly reward (Revelation 22:12-14). God is especially near to those who suffer for Him.”Ten days” means that although suffering may be intense, it will be relatively short. It has a definite beginning and end, and God remains in complete control.

The message to the church at Smyrna is to remain faithful throughout their 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 itself genuine. We remain faithful by keeping our eyes on Christ and on what He promises for us now and in the future (Philippians 3:13-14; 2 Timothy 4:8).

(from the Life Application Bible)