“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of Him Who holds the seven stars in His right hand, Who walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for My Name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.” Rev. 2:1-3
Devotional Thought For The Day
In the seven “letters” of the Lord Jesus Christ to these seven churches in Asia, He always asserts “I know.” The Lord provides commendation and encouragement and also a clear detailing of weaknesses and His warnings. Some of these same commendations and encouragements are appropriate to pastors and congregations today, and certainly His warnings and condemnations are applicable to some pastors, to churches, and to certain members today. These “letters” certainly provide quite an interesting glimpse into the life of the early church as it existed toward the end of the first century, and are eye-opening as to the kinds of troubles and problems they were dealing with, the challenges they had to overcome. It is helpful for us, living in congregations in these latter evil days, to know that we are not unique in working with the problems of false theology, false prophets, people making absurd and outrageous claims for themselves, immorality, and even idolatry within the church. And it is strengthening to know that Christians have always had to “endure patiently” and “bear up” for the sake of Christ’s precious and holy Name.
It is particularly strengthening to be assured that the Lord Jesus “knows” what is going on in His churches – with great detail and concern for His people, His dear believers who cling to His gracious mercy and seek to live in accord with His will, bringing glory to His Name. Does He still “know” what is going on in our churches, our congregations, and the kind of behavior, teaching, and influence that is being exerted – either for good or for evil – by the pastors and individuals within our congregations? Absolutely! He is with us always, even where only two or three are gathered together in His Name [Matt. 28:20; Matt. 18:20], and He knows all things [John 21:17]. Does He still care about what is going on in His church, in the congregations that bear His Name? How could He not when He so loved us as to lay down His life for us, and when He sternly warns against causing even one of the little ones who believe in Him to stumble and fall [John 15:13; Matthew 18:6]. So although we may struggle to grasp His presence, and may doubt His careful attentiveness and concern for our little church, and for the individual children who believe in Him, it is certain that He still “knows” exactly what is going on in the life of our congregations – what is being done to bless His dear children of faith to the glory of His Name, and what harm and damage is being done to believers and every single thing that brings profanation of His Name.
Jesus commends the church at Ephesus that “you have not grown weary.” Perhaps one’s age and the length of time we have spent within the church contributes to “weariness.” Likewise, the number of challenges and the degree of difficulty in rebutting and fighting to expose and expel all that corrupts and perverts the church may be quite “wearying.” But the encouragement of God is intended for all of us: “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” [Gal. 6:9] We need this encouragement as we struggle against and endure the many grievous weaknesses and infestations of evil within the church in these late and difficult times. That Jesus “knows” all about this, is present and watching all of this personally, and that He cares deeply about every aspect of the life of His church – as it involves His dearly beloved children and the glory of His Name – helps us a great deal with our “weariness.” We are not alone, and the outcome of the battle is not in our hands; we are privileged, however, to serve the cause of the glorious and victorious Lord Jesus Christ. And even as God is able to strengthen and sustain us, to provide us with nourishment and energy, let us pray that He provide us with such “food” for our souls that we also not grow weary. If we remember His closeness, His knowing and caring, then we will rely upon Him to bless us, renew us, and strengthen us in all that we are “enduring patiently and bearing” for His Name’s sake. May the Lord Jesus grant it to all of His dear people!
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, remind us of Your constant presence, Your closeness to us, You knowing and caring about all that goes on within Your church. Remind us of Your commendation of all that is good, and Your warnings and condemnation of all that is evil, everything that destroys faith and decency and tarnishes Your glorious Name. Grant us Your strength and nurture that we never grow weary in serving You and Your dear people. Amen.