January 27.
Supernatural Strength

Revelation 2:8-11

Unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last which was dead and is alive;

Smyrna was a city infiltrated with Jews. Some believed in the Lord Jesus Christ while others were merely pretending practitioners of the faith. They tried to carry on the cover of loving God, but Jesus said that they were of the synagogue of Satan. He sends a message to the church at Smyrna telling them He knows of their works and tribulations and poverty and the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews and are not.

You see the strength of the church is not based upon the size of the membership. It is not based upon scholarly preachers in the pulpit or business-minded men on the deacon board or educators in the pews. Neither is it based upon finances or wealth. The church’s strength is based upon the person that founded the church. It is in Jesus that we live and we move and have our being. The foundation of the church and my faith must be built on nothing less that Jesus Christ and his righteousness.

Jesus gives us a concept of his strength when he says, “I am the first and the last.” indicating that whatever trying situation you find yourself in, he is there first. Jesus doesn’t wait until we get into trouble and then show up. He’s there before we get to the trouble. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace, the Lord had already arranged to be there to protect them ahead of time. He made a way for Noah and his family before the flood took place. All you that labor and are heavy laden, Jesus has already arranged for rest. Not only is Jesus the first, He is also the last. He won’t abandon us while we re still on the ship. Other friends counsel, visit, talk with us for a while, but if we keep on worrying them, they may abandon us. But we’re serving a God that will not leave us. He is the first one to show up at your house the last one to leave.