The Friday after the Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Posted on October 10, 2025 by under
Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11 (NKJV)
2:8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,
‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 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.
11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”’”
Devotion
If we truly confess that we are Christians, members of His one holy Apostolic Church, then we pledge to be faithful unto death. That means we strive to be faithful when things are good and bad, when we have peace or adversity, when we are well-off or in poverty. We do not get to call “time out” and quit doing His will just because things are difficult or unpleasant. The ultimate example of this is our Lord’s own suffering and death.
Our Lord Jesus endured rejection from His people, antagonism from those who were supposed to support His ministry, betrayal from those He chose and loved, and undeserved violence from those who were supposed to uphold justice. But through it all He knew that He would rise again and enjoy a far greater joy and glory. He showed us all this in His own tribulations because He has also promised His resurrection, peace, joy, and glory to us. If we are faithful by the power of His Word and Holy Spirit, then we cling to this promise, throughout tribulations, even unto death.
Being a Christian does not mean we have it easy now. It does not mean that people will treat us with honor or respect. It does not mean we will have everything we want. God didn’t promise that. He promised the opposite. We will have adversity; we will be despised; we will have what we need now, and our real treasures will be stored in heaven. But His promises are good, and His love and grace will see us through all things.
Collect: Lord, we pray Thee, that Thy grace may always go before and follow after us, and make us continually to be given to all good works; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
