The Devil’s Test

The Devil’s Test

Read: Revelation 2:8-11

“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 the crown of life.”

Revelation 2:10

“The things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”

—Helen H. Lemmel

IN WORD Jesus has something specific in mind for the church in Smyrna when He says this, but it applies to us as well. Satan’s persecution has never been an isolated incident among one segment of Christ’s body. It is targeted at all Christians of all times, in one way or another.

Why this vendetta? Why won’t he just let it go? Satan is a creature of vengeance. Above all else, he wants to interrupt your worship of God. If he can’t stop it, he’ll try to distort it, degrade it, diminish it, distract from it, and defuse it in any way possible. He hates it. It’s the worship he craves, and it is directed toward his worst Enemy. The Most High God basks in the glory of our praises. The most low creature finds that utterly revolting.

Our response, whether in good times or bad, whether in ease or difficulty, whether in fruitfulness or barrenness, is to worship. It is never inappropriate. God is worthy at all times and in all places. The fact that we can’t always see the reasons doesn’t mean they aren’t there. To withhold praise of the eternal God when we don’t feel like praising Him is to agree with our limited vision rather than the inviolable Word. It’s to exalt our fickle emotions over truth. Don’t fall into that trap.

IN DEED Are you suffering? Be faithful and worship. Are you persecuted? Be faithful and worship. Are you dying? Be faithful and worship. Just like Paul and Silas in the depths of a Philippian prison (Acts 16), just like Jehoshaphat surrounded by hostile armies (2 Chronicles 20), be faithful. Turn your eyes upon Jesus and worship. Let the crown of life loom larger to you than the trials at hand. Let the devil’s test fail. In your life and your testimony, reflect God’s glory clearly.