February 06, 2022
Greetings and blessings to all of you. Smyrna was one of the seven churches that God spoke of in Rev. 2:8-11. He said, “Do not fear what you are about to suffer…. Be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life.” The words of Christ to this church pose the same question for us today: Will we deny Christ in the face of persecution? Will we exchange the riches of our faith “in the first and the last, who died and came to life, “for spiritual poverty? We are asked to be FAITHFUL through tribulation.” The Psalmist in 116:3-4 said in anguish, “the cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: “O Lord, save me!” Do you ever feel like this? I know none of us asked for this virus which has triggered historical events such as schools’ closures, increased homeschooling, turned homes into offices, closed businesses, ballparks, and restaurants, emptied shelves, and highways, divided people, emptied the church buildings and increased the wealth and power of the Tech Giants and Amazon. The truth is if you’re waiting for normal to return you may be setting yourself up for a major letdown. Nothing remains normal for long. In despair, knowing life would never be the same, Jeremiah cried out to the Lord, “through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness (Lam.3:22-23) Jeremiah knew God’s faithfulness was the only constant in the tragic events raging around us. Jeremiah said, “The Lord is my portion..therefore I hope in Him.” The Lord allows our difficulties so we can experience his Power and Glory. There is always a purpose behind our trials even when life seems confusing and hopeless. If we respond correctly, we may look back on the experience as a catalyst for growth in our spiritual walk. We must understand the truth behind the verse 8:28. “and we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” So our normal is never constant. But God is. He is the Same, Yesterday, Today and Forever. Look to Him in times of distress.
With the Love of Christ
First Lady Vivian C. Currie
Pastor ALC