Thank you for joining me this week as we examined Scripture together! Let’s close out with a few more Psalms, written by David.
The word ‘wonderful’ primarily means “very good”, but can also mean “astonishing”. Today’s Psalms are beautiful reflections of God’s wonderful works. Despite some of those works being consequences of rebelling against God, and certainly not our definition of “good”, there is no denying they are still wonderful in the sense of the astonishing, awe-inspiring, power God displayed in these moments.
All people were created by the omnipotent God, whether or not they acknowledge Him. All people experience God’s wonderful works, whether or not they know those works are done by God alone. In our world today, there are plenty of people that either do not know or choose to deny God’s power. But that lack of understanding does not change the undeniable truth that God is the Almighty, and that someday, every knee will bow in acknowledgment of Him. And oh what a glorious day that will be!
Until then, as Christians, we should be remembering God’s wonderful works, and sharing them with others regularly. We should praise the doer of these works, giving thanks and announcing them with shouts of joy (107:22)! Our God is truly an awesome God, and worthy of all praise and recognition. In our day to day, it can be challenging at times to pause and reflect on how God is working in the world and in our life, but it can make so much of a difference in our day when we simply say, “Thank You, awesome God.”.
Sarah Johnson
Reflection Questions
From today’s reading, which verse stuck out to you most?
As we close out the week together, I challenge you to not only take some extra time to give God praise for all He has done, but find a brother or sister to share in all His wonderful works, together!
Today we are reading three brief, but powerful, psalms, totaling 85 verses. The phrase “Praise God” (or some similar variation) is found 12 times in these passages. And that’s just that phrase, not the verses describing why God is worthy of praise, which make up the majority of the text!
Much of the praises today are focused on God’s compassionate character as the Creator of the world and everything in it. The praise is focused on God’s works, and forgiveness, despite humanity’s faults. Even in Psalms 102, where the author is lamenting over their life circumstances, they still give praise and recognition to an eternal and compassionate God before the psalm ends!
Most Psalms have all these similar themes of praise and recognition of God’s character, just phrased differently and from different perspectives in different life situations. They are not written to recount a story from long ago like most of the other books in the Bible, but are written by people experiencing very real, raw, emotions. It’s basically like reading someone’s personal prayer journal! Because these authors were real people, there is a strong likelihood you resonate with their real feelings of real life situations. And because we praise an unchanging God, we can have confidence that we too, can experience the same comfort and joy when we praise Him. No matter if you are in a time of lament, a time of needing redemption, or a time of awesome recognition of our creator, you can find a way to Praise Yahweh.
Sarah Johnson
Reflection Questions
How’s your “praise life” been lately? Are you taking opportunities to Praise God instead of just petition Him in your prayers? How can you improve this week?
Pick your favorite “praise” verse from today’s reading to focus on this week. Consider memorizing it to add to your own prayers!
In our 1 Chronicles passages today we read about the death of Saul due to his unfaithfulness towards God. Saul began consulting others instead of God, and certainly did not praise Him for all the provision he had been provided. Read Psalms 103 again, keeping this story in mind. What can you apply from the message of this Psalm to Saul’s life and death?
Today’s reading takes us across several different life experiences many (if not all) Christians also experience in today’s modern world:
Psalm 81 is a reflection of God’s provision for Israel, and a reminder of the good things they could be experiencing if they would only listen to Him.
Psalm 88 is an example of low places so many of us have experienced in our Christian walk. The writer is calling out to God to save them from suffering, to answer their prayers, and to bring them comfort in a place of loneliness. It is a lamentation and pouring out of a soul that is broken and hurting.
Psalm 92 is a psalm of praise and excitement over the wonderful works of God! This author is experiencing joy and astonishment over a Heavenly Father, and being sure to sing it loud and proud!
Psalm 93 is another praiseful psalm that focuses more on the sovereignty of God and His mighty power, recognizing the strength of God and His position over the entire earth.
While each of these Psalms hold different perspectives of a human’s viewpoint of God, we can also see how in each of these, God’s unchanging, steadfast, supreme authority remains. No matter what our current reflection of God is, He has never become anything but God. Whether we are disobedient, hurting, praising, or fully recognizing His power, God is still, and has always been, the Creator, Yahweh, the One True God. The God who formed and controls every aspect of the earth, that pulled the Israelites out of Egypt, and held them accountable to His commands, is the SAME GOD that you and I worship today.
This fact can (and probably should) be both comforting and convicting. Comforting because there is an amazing God who loves us with an everlasting love that will never change from that! Convicting because there is a powerful God, who has high expectations for believers, that won’t change from that either. As Christians today, I believe we must consistently balance these feelings of comfort and conviction in order to best live out our days.
-Sarah Johnson
Reflection Questions
Using the four options listed, what would you classify as your current reflection of God in this season? Are you content to have that reflection?
What verses most stood out to you from the reading? Why do you think those verses impacted you the most today?
Another Psalm, another author! Asaph was a Levitical musician appointed by David. As a musician, it makes sense why the Psalms in his name invoke quite a bit of feeling!
In each of these Psalms we see components of the author’s experience that we have likely felt in our own lives. For example, Psalm 73:12-14 highlights the feeling that it seems the wicked seem to prosper while the pure in heart still experience suffering! Has anyone else had that thought cross their mind? I know I have. Or from Psalms 77:7-9, the feeling that God has withheld His love and compassion from you? Or, in recounting the Israelite experience in Psalm 78, have we been in moments of testing God, and ignoring His redemption from our enemies?
Throughout these chapters, we see a theme of remembrance. Whether this is people finally remembering God’s awesome power, generations being reminded of God’s miracles, or God ‘remembering’ that people are only people, remembrance is a prominent component to these musical psalms.
When people remember God, it is after they have experienced hardship, caused by the complexities of life, or God’s wrath towards their sin. It comes with recognition of God’s mighty works and requires humility. Remembering God then brings about a change from a destructive path, back to a path of righteousness and holy pursuit of God’s presence. Forgetting God and His wonders results in separation from Him for as long as someone forgets. Remembering Him correctly as the omnipotent Creator is what brings us back to His gracious and compassionate presence.
However, when God ‘remembers’ His people, it is not because He at some point forgot the way people forget, but rather He re-extends His grace yet again after His people have sinned; He acknowledges them (us!) in their sinfulness. God’s remembrance is not for His benefit, but for the benefit of His people. And without it, it wouldn’t be possible for people to experience redemption.
Remembering God, and His remembrance or compassion towards people is something worth sharing! Psalm 78:1-8 describes how important it is to tell others, future generations, about God’s works and power. Whether or not you have children of your own, you do have the opportunity to impact the next generation of believers. You can do this by reminding believers of our awesome God – reminding them of the importance of following His commands and pursuing His presence in their own lives. No matter your age, you may feel like your generation has forgotten God. But you, yes YOU, have the ability to start remembering Him today, to impact yourself and those around you, tomorrow.
-Sarah Johnson
Reflection Questions
Are there seasons in your life that you have really remembered God? What stood out to you during that time? How could you carry that over to all seasons of life, especially ones where you may be more likely to forget Him?
What could you share about God’s works in your life with people in your circle that would help you or them remember Him today?
I recently had a baby boy, who decided, after about 3.5 weeks of false labor contractions and me walking around 4cm dilated for a week, he would grace us with his appearance 2 days after his due date. For comparison, my firstborn came a week early with only those pesky Braxton Hicks contractions leading up to his debut. Anyone who has known me over the past 9 months knows that I was fully convinced this second baby was coming early. It felt like my entire mind was consumed by thinking about going into labor every moment of every day! I was grouchy, distracted, and mentally exhausted. My yearning brought me no closer to my baby, and really only made me more distant from everything positive going on around me.
The sons of Korah write in Psalm 84:2 “My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” (NIV). The NET translation phrases it as “with my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God”. This verse paints a picture of absolute, consuming, desire for closeness with God. The chapter continues on to describe a blessed happiness that can be found when focused on praising the Almighty, when trusting in the Lord of Hosts! (v. 4, 12).
Psalm 85 continues this picture of desiring closeness with God, but takes a slightly different perspective. In Psalm 84, I get this imagery of excitement, anticipation, energized passion for God, whereas Psalm 85 depicts an image of peace, protection, and righteousness in relationship. There is still a deep longing for a connection, but it’s like comparing the honeymoon, “puppy-love” phase of a new marriage, to a secure, content, lifelong covenant marriage.
Verse 9 describes this type of relationship through salvation by fearing God. This “fear” is derived from the Hebrew word “yare”, which means to revere, or be afraid of because of profound respect . It’s not meant to be a fear that causes us to avoid approaching the throne, but rather a fear that places us in rightful, humble, submission to an awesome God, worthy of being revered, and yearned for. One that should make us say, “my whole source of joy is in you” (Ps. 87:7).
Even though babies are one of the greatest gifts, my yearning to deliver my son began to impact my relationship with God (and others!) as I began to prioritize birth over my spiritual relationship with the One who made life. I wanted to control the timing, and I wanted it to be now! But, when I started to misplace my priorities, I felt less joy, less excitement, and less peace about the whole situation. How often does this happen in our lives? We begin to place closeness to someone or something above our desire for closeness with God… and unsurprisingly, we don’t get the same satisfaction we may have been hoping for. We can become bitter, resentful, stressed, you name it… anything but joyful. Yearning with such intenseness for the wrong things in life, even when they are good things, will never lead to a joy-filled life. BUT, when we keep ourselves yearning intensely for a relationship with God, and when we humble ourselves to Him, we experience true joy, true peace, and true satisfaction, only He can deliver!
(And baby boy arrived healthy and happy, just when God intended him too 🙂)
Sarah (Blanchard) Johnson
Reflection Questions
Evaluate your faith walk right now – would you describe yourself as yearning for a relationship with God? What other aspects in your life might you be misplacing above your relationship with Him?
What steps can you take to practice fearing, or revering, God today?
You’ve made it to the last letter! Thank you, as always, for joining me as we grow in our faith walk. It is always a pleasure and a growth experience for me as well!
Laodicea is one church briefly mentioned outside of these Revelation verses. While writing to the Colossians, Paul also mentions the church in Laodicea, encouraging them throughout his letter there, and reminding the Colossians that this letter was meant for the Laodiceans as well (Colossians 4:16). By some verses, it seems that Paul himself did not travel there, but did have fellow believers he was connected with that traveled there on his behalf and supported the ministry. There is some scholarly debate as to if Paul ever wrote Laodicea a letter directly that may be hidden in one of the other New Testament books, or lost, or simply is a misunderstanding of translation. A mystery you could choose to explore yourself… but not our main point for today.
Laodicea was a very wealthy, abundant city. When destroyed by an earthquake, they refused to take Roman funds but instead paid themselves to rebuild it back to its prosperous state. It was full of strong, independent, rich people. And yet, it is listed as a church with no positive attributes and only rebuke from Jesus. In fact, Jesus writes of his desire to spit or vomit them out (v.16). Ouch.
So, what’s so bad about being lukewarm? At least they weren’t called spiritually dead like in Sardis, right?? Well, Sardis was at least doing something, and there were a few members still actively living out the truths of Jesus’ ministry. It seems that Laodicea was truly doing nothing… they weren’t being useful in any capacity, and were so inflated with their own sense of self that they didn’t even notice they were really poor, blind, and naked (v.17)! They had turned their hearts so far towards their own wealth and recognition, that they truly just abandoned their faith. Maybe they still met at church for a social gathering, but there was no discussion, no action, no edification, no growth. They weren’t doing one thing wrong, they were doing absolutely nothing.
To correct this, Jesus gives them advice to buy gold from him that has been refined by fire, clothes to cover their nakedness, and salve to heal their blindness (v.18). In the context of this particular church and city, this probably felt a bit like a slap in the face. They had their own gold, they made their own beautiful linens, and they even were known for their medicinal salve! Why would anyone tell them they needed to go anywhere else to get those things? Well, Jesus was trying to point out the fact that what he was “selling” was nothing they could find in their own material possessions. He was intending to knock them down a few notches and realize what they needed was God’s grace, and that wasn’t something they could just buy at one of their various stores around town!
In verse 19, Jesus reminds this church that he rebukes and corrects the people he loves. One thing this church has going for them, that really every single person has, is that Jesus loves them enough to call them out! In this letter he reminds them that he is present, he is knocking at their door, calling for them, with an invitation to spend time with him (v.20). Jesus is actively pursuing this group of people with a desire to include them, to lift them up to a place of majesty (v.21). He deeply wants them to be part of the Kingdom, but they needed to first recognize how much they needed him to get there. There is a destruction coming that they aren’t going to be able to pay for themselves… and Jesus wants them to be on the side of redemption instead.
When we experience worldly wealth and success, we run the risk of becoming lukewarm in our faith, because we lose the recognition of our true need for God. We must have a level of humility and respect (or fear!) for the Creator of all things in order to really put our faith in action daily! We are dependent on God for so much more than we may consciously think throughout our days, but when we ignore how we desperately need His Grace, His Son, and His plan for salvation, we miss out on the opportunity to be in His Kingdom. Not to mention so many other blessings we could experience in this current life!
My prayer for anyone reading these devotions this week is that you were able to find something that spoke to you. Whether it was conviction, encouragement, or an idea for how to apply it in your home and church, I hope you found something in it for you. I pray it was a blessing and that you continue to dive deeper in Scripture to continue strengthening your faith!
Reflection Questions:
Have there been seasons in your life where you “forgot” to rely on God? Have there been seasons where you were reminded of just how much you needed Him? What were the biggest differences in your life at those times?
What barriers do you see in your life that prevent you from relying on God, and may get in the way of you focusing too much on your sense of self?
If you’re anything like me, you probably saw a bit of yourself in each letter. When reflecting on each letter, which do you resonate with the most? Re-read Jesus’ correction for the church you feel most like, and see how you can apply that rebuke to your life this week.
In today’s passage, we read about the church in Philadelphia, the church that (most people agree) had ZERO correction from Jesus. What an honor they had earned!!
Jesus comes in with powerful encouragement for this church in “Little Athens”, where it was surrounded by temples to other gods. This church was the youngest in comparison to the rest of the churches listed here, and experienced many physical challenges, specifically earthquakes, throughout its entire existence. The city itself was smaller and less populated, but was strategically built as a gateway city for the larger areas around them. This unique geographical location placed the church in a vital position for supporting the growth of Christianity. They truly had an open door if you will…
Most scholars believe that this open door to evangelism is what Jesus is referencing in verse 8 – reminding this church of their opportunity to spread the Gospel to a whole new group of people, that could continue growing and spreading in new cities. And of course, right before this in verse 7 he introduces himself as one who holds the keys to open what no one else can, and to shut what no one else can. Some people debate if this was a way that Jesus was correcting this church, by putting them in their place to remember who really was the one to give them such a successful ministry.
This church received praise for holding fast to Jesus Christ, his teachings and his name. Jesus acknowledges that he has seen their works, knows they don’t have much strength, and yet they have persevered (v.8). His encouragement to them was focused on condemnation for their enemies, and validating his love for them to those who may have been persecuting them (v.9). He also describes how their patient faithfulness will save them from later suffering when the world is experiencing testing and trials (v.10). Not only would this serve as encouragement for those believers, but it would have also served as a strong reminder of what they needed to continue doing in order to experience those promises!
So, what is this young, tiny, faithful, and weak church to do with the abundant opportunity they have received? They are to hold on to what they have, knowing that Christ is coming again (v. 11).
Living in today’s day and age, we all have abundant opportunities to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Whether it’s in-person, virtually, maybe even through online devotionals… (I’m sure Marcia would love a few more writers next year – or even next week has a few holes 🙂) we all have ample chances to tell people about the Kingdom, and to know and uphold the Word. We are probably just as weak and tiny as the church in Philadelphia felt, and maybe as young! Yet we have the same chance to claim this same victorious message when we hold firmly to Jesus’ teachings and his name.
Here’s the thing: we already know how the story ends. We know who the winner is of this constant war and messed up world. And, we know HE IS COMING SOON! That message should excite us, energize us, and encourage us daily! It can be so challenging when we are bogged down by the many woes of this life. We live in an incredibly imperfect world, full of yucky people, horrific disasters, and overall just depressing moments. I’m sure the Philadelphians were probably sick of seeing all these pagan gods, constantly rebuilding their homes from earthquakes, and being picked on by everyone around them. If they can withstand life’s challenges so well that Jesus is shouting their praises, maybe we can too.
Reflection Questions:
How would you feel to receive a letter like this from Jesus? What things in your life right now do you think Jesus would be praising? What would he be correcting?
In Psalm 119:71, David writes about how his afflictions helped him learn God’s decrees. In Jeremiah 40, we read about Jeremiah finally getting some freedom back after being confined and imprisoned, and continuing to spread God’s messages. What challenges have you experienced in your life that you have come to see as a blessing or an opportunity to grow in your faith?
What is one way you can seize an opportunity to share Christ in your world today? What doors do you see that Christ has opened in your life?
We’ve made it to the fifth letter in our series! Thanks for joining again!
Sardis is another church not mentioned elsewhere in the Bible with limited information. Historically, we are told Sardis was once a wealthy city citizens thought was well-defended because of their geographical location up above most other cities. Because of this, Sardis experienced multiple significant attacks they were ill-prepared for, and as a result, the city had deteriorated significantly from what it once was or what it could have been. Keep this in mind as we take a look at the letter itself today.
Jesus does not take much time before diving right into some pretty critical correction for this church. He immediately jumps to calling out their fake reputation – calling them dead instead of alive as it may seem (v.1). This would have been a pretty close comparison to how their city also had the appearance of being well-off, when in reality, they could not withstand the attacks of those around them! So what are they to do? WAKE UP. Jesus tells Sardis to take action in strengthening what little remains (possibly referencing the few in the church that have remained worthy (v.4)), because he still sees a chance for them to finish or perfect their deeds or purpose (v.2). Some Bible translations use the language, “…I find your actions do not meet the requirements of my God.” This means there are some actions happening, but they are unfinished and not up to standard.
Sardis was a church full of barely believers who were just scratching the surface of what it means to be a Christian. Full of people coming together and going through the motions, maintaining the look of a “good” church, and yet missing out on true spirituality and fellowship with Christ. People who weren’t motivated by their love of Christ, or love of others, but rather by their desire to be viewed with the “Christian” label. That is why Jesus calls this church to remember what they learned at first, Biblical truths of who he is and what the Kingdom will be, hold it fast, clinging to these truths with passion and deep love, and repent, because where they are is dangerous for their salvation (v.3). Jesus uses the analogy of a thief coming at an unknown time because he knows this would be an image that resonates with this group of people, and he desperately wants to convey the urgency behind his words.
It is incredibly simple to slip in a pattern of apathetic worship and works. All it takes is falling out of good spiritual habits like daily fellowship with God through prayer, reading our Bible, and genuine worship to fall into a rut of maintaining a reputation. I personally feel this is one of the biggest ways Satan draws Christians away from Christ in the United States today. BUT, when we listen and act on what Jesus tells the church in Sardis (remember, hold fast, and repent), we have the best chance of our name being written in the Book of LIfe, acknowledged by Jesus to his Father, and angels (v.5).
It is overwhelming to feel like or recognize that you or your church may be spiritually dead. But be encouraged that we worship a God who raises the dead. His Kingdom is coming, and you have a chance to be part of it. Praise God!
Reflection Questions:
What is one thing you have done recently (or can do), to re-energize your love of Christ? How can this help you avoid a pattern of apathy?
What are the things you learned at first that God may be calling you to remember? What does it look like for you to hold fast to these things in your daily life?
Our other passages today offer multiple examples of people who held on to God’s words regardless of their reputations. In Psalm 119:58 David writes how he has sought the Lord’s face with his whole heart. Despite his own shortcomings, David clearly had a deep relationship with God and was blessed because of his dedication. Living in a post-Jesus world with access to Old Testament scriptures, we are at even more of an advantage to developing a relationship with God. How are you utilizing the time you live in now to further your relationship with God and His Son?
While we don’t hear much about Thyatira outside of these passages, we do get a little sneak peak at it in Acts during one of Paul’s trips where he meets Lydia, and she and her whole family are baptized in the truth of Jesus Christ. From there, we are told Lydia offered a place for Paul to stay (Acts 16:13-15). While we don’t know the number of days Paul stayed with Lydia, it is likely that the believers reached during this time were the ones to eventually establish the church in Thyatira. While this isn’t incredibly relevant to our main point, I do think it’s pretty amazing that just one family made such an impact in their community!
Now getting into the praise Thyatira received: The church here was doing good work, and it seems that they were improving in this throughout their existence too! They are commended for their love, faith, service, and perseverance (v.19). This was a group of active Christians who clearly cared deeply for their community. They had a big focus on outreach and growth. Both great things to aspire for!
Now comes to their correction… Thyatira had allowed a false prophet, a “Jezebel” (think the Biblical “Karen”… not really their name, but the stereotype that goes with it), into their church and followed her teachings, even into sinful acts such as sexual immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols (v.20). It is possible that this church was so focused on the external look of creating a community where no one was pushed away, that they instead let in someone(s) that became like a cancerous growth in their congregation. Rather than confronting someone with wrong teaching, the church allowed false prophets a space to teach that incorrect doctrine, ultimately dragging down the church as a whole.
In this letter, Christ reminds the church, and the false prophets, that those who go off the path of Christ’s teaching will perish, but there is still an opportunity for repentance (v.21-22). In verse 23, it’s written that Jesus will repay each one in the church according to their deeds. Now, for a church that was commended for their deeds, this may not seem too concerning. However, within the context of the same verse, it appears this is more of a warning for these Christians. Even in their good deeds, if they have been actively following a false prophet and engaging in actions they know to be sinful according to Scripture and Christ’s teachings, those deeds will also be repaid. I think this is Jesus taking a moment to remind Christians that without obedience to God’s expectations Jesus taught, the result will still be death, no matter how good their deeds were. Interestingly, there seems to be a group within the church here that has been defying the false teachings, and Jesus urges them to continue to hold on until he returns (v.24-25). Just a little light within that grim reminder!
That harsh correction also comes with a very exciting promise for everyone just a few verses later. Jesus reminds these believers that those who do his will to the end will be given authority over nations and a morning star (v.28). These promises are hopeful, exciting, and rewarding!
In our modern day, it can be just as easy to allow false teachings to slip into our churches and our lifestyles as in the time of Thyatira. This makes it that much more imperative for each individual believer to have a strong foundation of Biblical knowledge to test teachings with! Church leaders also have an important task of addressing false teachings inside the church appropriately and timely. We all must use discernment to evaluate the messages we hear inside (and outside) our churches to ensure they truly align with the teachings of Jesus. And if or when they don’t, we must have the courage to call it out! Always remembering that everyone is created by God, and given the same chance for repentance as you and I. It’s no easy task, but the reward makes it all worth it.
Reflection Questions:
Have you experienced a time where you had to use discernment in confronting sin in your life, or in the life of another believer? What went well in that situation, and what could have improved?
In our Psalms passage today, we read that David finds comfort during suffering because God’s promise preserves his life, and he finds comforts in God’s laws. When you consider the laws and Jesus’ teachings, do you find comfort in obeying them? Are there any that are challenging for you?
In our Jeremiah verses for today, we see an example of God’s response to disobedience to His laws for the sake of “freedom” from them. How has this concept remained the same throughout history? How has this concept changed since Jesus?
While Pergamum (or Pergamos) is not mentioned directly in other places of Scripture, it is located in the region Mysia, which Paul traveled through on his way to Troas (Acts 16:7-8). Some scholars believe this is when the church would have “picked up” the Christian beliefs and began around this time, and may have been strengthened by Paul’s later travels to Ephesus. Pergamum was a very lofty, worldly place that served as a temple for many pagan gods, including the temple for Zeus (AKA “Satan’s throne”). It was a challenging place to have belief in the One True God, and His son, Jesus Christ.
For this reason, Jesus commending the church for remaining true to his name is all the more powerful. This is a group of people who day in and out were faced with false gods and pressured to worship them. Even through martyrdom experiences, they held fast to the name of Jesus (v.13). What a compliment and praise to receive from the Savior!
BUT, unfortunately, the praise Jesus gives quickly turns to correction. Despite continuing to believe in Jesus, many believers did not hold fast to the doctrine Jesus taught, and tolerated the ungodly practices in their church. They did not maintain the command to worship no other god, except God himself. Instead, they permissed to teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans (v.14). Really, what this means is this church had compromised the teachings of Jesus for what the world around them was teaching. They accepted the teachings of false gods and allowed them in their lives. And Jesus calls them out! He tells them to repent, or else face the sword of his mouth (v.16), which we know is the Truth of who he is and his Father!
In comparison with the church in Ephesus, Pergamum seems to be on the opposite end of the spectrum. Ephesus struggled being too far away from their community to speak the truth in love, whereas Pergamum struggled to be set apart from the world and speak the truth at all.
Again, Jesus reminds this church that this message is for anywho who has ears. He writes to them about the promise of hidden manna (being filled with Jesus, the bread of life), a white stone (a clean slate free of judgment), and a new name (an identity in Christ). Those who not only remained faithful, but also remained set apart for Christ, were given a satisfying, safe, community to be part of.
In today’s modern day, it can be far too easy for believers to compromise the biblical truths they know for what the world has to offer, for the sake of wanting to belong or be comfortable, or just not ruffle any feathers. Yet, we are called to more, with a reward that is so much more than anything anyone in this world could even come close to comparing to. Our society yearns to be satisfied, safe, and accepted. But the only way to truly experience those things is when we cling tightly to Jesus Christ and his teachings, and fully put on our new identity in him. When we withhold the truth from anyone, we are not truly loving them the way Christ loves his church. Jesus loved the church in Pergamum enough to call them to repentance. Do you have the same love for those around you?
Reflection Questions:
We know that the world markets false satisfaction, safety, and acceptance today. How can you ensure you are equally marketing the truth about Jesus in a loving way?
One of the best ways to proclaim the truth of Jesus to nonbelievers is through our actions. Are you acting set apart, and loving, the way Jesus calls us to? What can you do today to live out the truth you know, and show the world around you?
Our reading in Psalms today talks about delighting in God’s commands, something Pergamum struggled with acting out. Is this something you find yourself naturally doing? How can you work to love the commands God gives us?
Seek Grow Love 