Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
(Rev. 2:10)
Satan brought pressure to the church at Smyrna through people and circumstances in order to stop the Word and to stop this church from their assignment. Thus, they stopped their angel from assisting them, and as a result, nothing happened.
Satan came at Smyrna with affliction and persecution (see Mark 4). The way to respond to affliction is to apply James 1:2-3, to count it all joy when you fall into temptations, tests, and trials or tribulation, because you know that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
When trouble comes, you need to go to your strength, which is the joy of the Lord. You need to laugh in the face of calamity rather than hang your head and cry, “Woe is me. Why did God let this happen to me?” Some people may say, “God did this to me for some reason,” but I don’t see that in Scripture; that reasoning is a lie from hell.
Prayer for Today
Father, your Word enables me to live without fear. Your Word enables me to live with joy, anticipating your intervention and your victory. I praise you for all your promises to me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Selah: Think on These Things
- Luke 6:23
- Romans 8:35-37
Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).