Bible Reading: Hosea 9, 10, 11, Rev. 3
“Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” – Revelation 3:11 (KJVS)
A story was told of three Christians who were very passionate about their faith and were being persecuted for their belief. One day a set of soldiers decided to kill them if they did not renounce their faith. They put them in a freezing river and that they would only be released if they renounced their faith. The water was getting colder and the three were going through significant pain but none of them renounced his faith until later when one of them could no longer bear the pain and decided to renounce his faith. Just then, one of of the soldiers persecuting them ran to take his place in the freezing water! He said he saw crown being put on the men. That they were about to put crown on the third man when he renounced his faith and the angel was about to take the crown away, that’s why he rushed to take the place of the man!
How steadfast are you holding to your faith? There may be persecutions, trials, pains or even sorrows but you need to remain committed to your faith in Christ to end well! Jesus said in Revelation 3:11 (KJVS), “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.”
Challenges are always there and sometimes these seem intractable but the Spirit of the Lord will always make a way for His own. One thing that you should always remember that will see you through is the love of Christ. That love that made Christ to lay down his life for you, which made him to suffer the pains of crucifixion for your sakes should keep you going. That’s why Apostle Paul said in Romans 8:35-37 z(KJVS), “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? [36] As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. [37] Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”
When you are confronted with any challenge, just remember the love of Christ for you and the need to reciprocate that love in all your activities in life. That should keep you to surmount those challenges. Besides he says in Psalm 32:8 (KJVS), “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” So he is there at all times waiting to be called upon to guide you on the way forward.
Prayer:
Father keep me in you always and let me finish well in Jesus name.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero