It is not how you start the race that counts. It is how you finish.
In Jesus’ message to the church at Smyrna, He gave them a warning about what would happen to some of them, then encouraged the faithful to remain strong despite the trials unfolding around them.
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 persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. Revelation 2:10 (NIV)
Although there are differences in intensity and frequency of occurrence, all living humans will experience some suffering. The church at Smyrna seemed destined to experience more than most, and certainly more than the other six churches Jesus was writing to. Yet, the church at Smyrna was praised as spiritually wealthy in His eyes. He spoke no correction to them, giving only a word to stay strong, rich in faith, and not to give in due to the difficult times facing them.
Suffering and Faith
Deep faith will not excuse us from suffering. The apostle Paul paid a terrible price in physical punishment for his courageous evangelism. But aside from Jesus, no one in the Bible seems to have suffered as much as God’s servant, Job. Because of his great faithfulness to the Lord, Job came under personal attack from Satan, with God permitting it to happen. Job suddenly lost almost everything – children, wealth, and health. Yet, despite this misery, he remained faithful to God, responding:
“Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. Job 2:10b (NIV)
Added to this was an onslaught of baseless judgment and blame from his so-called friends, yet Job continued to be steadfast in faith, refusing to curse God. Finally, after this exceptionally difficult season of suffering, the Lord put a stop to it, and rewarded Job for his remarkable faithfulness:
10 … the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. 11 All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring.
12 The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. Job 42:10b-12a (NIV)
Job held tightly to God during his hour of suffering, and afterward, the Lord blessed him with children and with twice as much materially as he had before.
Centuries later, while imprisoned in Rome, the apostle Paul confirmed the importance of finishing strong, even in the midst of his great suffering:
13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)
No matter what is happening, God wants us to remain faithful to Him, even to the end. And He will reward us for it.
What about those who have thus far escaped extreme suffering, enjoying a long life? The closer finish line warns us older members of the church not to rest on our laurels, or to step back so that the younger ones take up all the work of the Lord. God wants us all to keep working, though it may be in different roles than we held before. It is important to keep faith in all circumstances and to stay in the battle, allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us to produce divine fruit for the eternal kingdom. God is actively working all around us – may He show us where we fit in, inviting us to join Him in His work today.
Reflection
We may be experiencing our own season of suffering at this very moment. Jesus is encouraging us today to stay strong, to not give up, and to be faithful to the very end. He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us, despite difficult circumstances that may threaten to defeat or overwhelm us. He is right here, strengthening and encouraging us. He knows our suffering and has promised to one day wipe every tear from our eyes.
Lord, comfort those who are going through heartache, pain, loss, disease, persecution, or approaching death. Be a tangible presence to them, granting them strength, hope, and assurance that You are there, that You know and understand what they are going through. Where it is Your will, grant complete healing and restoration. Grant us the crown of life as we stay faithful and true to You, despite our hour of trial. Help us all to do so when our own hour comes. We ask this in Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
May you be blessed, healed, and comforted by Jesus’ loving presence today.
Times and Seasons - The Book of Revelation FOR TODAY 