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Little Strength

 “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:

These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.  I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.  I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Revelation 3: 7 -13)

 

 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

 

I think this is “my” letter. It’s written to folks who have little strength. Weaklings. They aren’t Davids who go slay Goliaths and walk through the valley of the shadow of death without fearing or Joshuas who call for the sun to stand still so they can complete the battle at hand. They might be a little more like Moses, who sat on a rock and had his hands held up by others so that the battle would be won by the Israelites. There are no great deeds, no big noble sacrifices, nothing to write home about. All they have is that they’ve valued and done what Jesus taught and professed that they are following Him. Their words and their deeds, as quiet, simple, and insignificant as they may be, both bespoke their faith. Their endurance might not inspire songs, stories, or movies, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.

Jesus calls us to keep hold of what we have. That’s what it will take to be a pillar in the temple – a pillar in the community. I’m reminded of John Milton, who struggled with his blindness. After much soul-searching, he declared, “They also serve who stand and wait.” Being available, being willing to serve, and having faith are more important than the glory of great deeds, because the glory may distract us from the One for whom the deed was supposed to be done.

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