"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)
Wednesday, December 11, 2024 - Day 345 (Through the Bible in a year reading for today: Hosea 9-11; Rev. 2 )
REMAIN FAITHFUL
“Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10 ESV)
This well-known passage at first does not seem that difficult to follow. Remain close to Jesus until you die, and you will live with Him forever. In fact, this is what I encouraged Confirmation students to do when I reminded them to “always, always, always, always, always, always stay close to your Jesus.”
This command becomes much more difficult to keep when opposition to Jesus appears and God’s people are subjected to harassment and abuse. The early church, the original hearers of the book of Revelation, knew persecution first-hand. Many had their faith put to the test. Would they remain faithful and face death, or would they deny Jesus and live? What would your answer be?
Paul gives us his answer in Romans 8:18:
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
Remain faithful and you will live in eternal glory with Him.
1. Savior, thy dying love Thou gavest me;
Nor should I aught withhold, Dear Lord, from thee.
In love my soul would bow, My heart fulfill its vow,
Some of-f'ring bring thee now, Something for thee.
2. Give me a faithful heart, Likeness to thee,
That each departing day Henceforth may see
Some work of love begun, Some deed of kindness done,
Some wand'rer sought and won, Something for thee.
4. All that I am and have, Thy gifts so free,
In joy, in grief, through life, Dear Lord, for thee!
And when thy face I see, My ransomed soul shall be
Through all eternity Something for thee.
(Lutheran Worship #374)
Lord Jesus Christ, please keep me faithful until the day I die. Protect me from all temptations to deny You. Instead, use me to help others see the importance of faithfully trusting in Jesus as Savior and Lord. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
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