Tuesday after Jubilate, 5/08/01

Revelation 2:10 "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." (NKJV)

In the Name of Jesus, who turns our sufferings into blessings, Amen.

What do you fear? Here in this passage we find some of the chief things that cause people to fear: the devil, testing, tribulation, and death. Yet we are told "do not fear." We are also promised a blessed reward of grace: "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." When do we take promises to be faithful? Promises of faithfulness to Christ, His doctrine, and His church are made at baptism and confirmation. How often people make these promises carelessly, and confirmation is considered a graduation from church life. How many of us are truly faithful? We know what God's commandments say, but yet we still use God's name to curse or swear and use God's name carelessly in conversations. When our friends and acquaintances call teachings of the Bible into question, we don't speak up, or we find ourselves apologizing for our strict adherence to Biblical teachings and practices. Doubts creep in, especially in times of testing. We assured in our time of doubting by Paul's words to Timothy, "If we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for He cannot disown Himself" (2 Timothy 2:13). Confess to God that you've been fearful, and that you experience doubts and wavering. We have no reason to be afraid, for Jesus has taken away the punishment we deserve for our sins. Cling to the forgiveness of Jesus Christ, who has borne all your guilt in His body and suffered and died to cleanse you from all unrighteousness. Pray that the Holy Spirit would strengthen You in faith through the Word and Sacraments, that you withstand the test and be found faithful, filled with faith in Jesus our Savior.

Prayer: Lord God, I confess that I waver in my faithfulness, and when I rely on my own strength in times of testing, I fail the test. "Lord I believe, help Thou My unbelief." Amen.