Opening Prayer
Lord, give us grace to keep Your Word in our hearts. Amen.
Text: Revelation 3:7-13
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens: “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie – indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I come quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”‘”
Devotion
The Lord’s Church must be patient. They must faithfully endure humility and tribulation for a little while. Then they receive the crown. They must keep His Word in patience, that is, exercise patience and overcome by His Word, endure being despised and oppressed by the wise and mighty of the world, endure suffering evil without complaining, go through trials and tribulations and be sustained by the Word, which teaches us that that’s how it will be for the people of God here and especially in the last times. Though our power is little, the power of the Word is great. By the Lord’s faithfulness we shall keep the truth and thereby overcome all its opponents. “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God” (2Ti 1:8). Through the tribulations of the last times the Church shall become worthy of the crown of victory. The cross is the Christian’s coat of arms. The weak shall not inherit the kingdom of God. “Bear the cross, bear the cross. Zion, till thy latest breath Bear the cross of scorn and jeering And be faithful unto death; See the crown of life appearing. Zion, count all other things as loss. Bear the cross, bear the cross! Persevere! Persevere! Zion, persevere for aye! Let thy God not lukewarm find thee, Soon the night shall end in day. Look not to the things behind thee. Zion, when the final strife is near, Persevere! Persevere!” (Zion, rise! TLH 479:2 and ALHB 254:7)
Closing Prayer
Faithful Lord Jesus, You know that we deserve nothing. O give us grace to confess You and to suffer for Your name’s sake. Give us patience, keep our eyes directed toward the crown, so that we never forsake You, but praise and honor You in tribulations unto death. Amen.
Hymn
Through sharp dangers you must wander
On the way to heaven’s throne;
Bride of Christ, how sad a wonder:
You must walk where thorns have grown,
Over mountains, valleys, all,
Home to Zion’s bridal hall!
Soon no sorrow is remembered
When such joys we shall have entered.
So let nothing be oppressing,
Jesus’ Bride, while in this land,
For you soon shall be processing
To your fortune wondrous, grand!
If your blessings are few here,
Far surpassing are they there!
Though here God does not seem near you,
Be assured, He still does hear you!
Brorson: Midt igjennem Nød og Fare L 106:1-2 tr. DeGarmeaux;
tune: Werde munter (ELH 354); alternate hymn: If thou but trust in God to guide thee ELH 205:1.5