Keep Calm and Push

“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.

“‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’

(Revelation 2:8-11 ESV)

          We should all know by now that the Christ centered life is not always the easy road. in fact, the easy road is usually the wrong direction. The name of Christ is not the most popular in society. When, as Christians, we stand for our beliefs, it is often met with criticism. We are not "tolerant". We're too "inflexible", we "don't like fun". The truth is, doing what is right is not always doing what is popular. That's no secret.

          The scripture has told us many times that we are strange to those who do not believe. Peter himself described us this way: But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9 ESV). There are two things in this passage to consider. First, that we are set apart. We are chosen. In fact, other translations use the term "peculiar". To the eyes of the world, that is exactly what we are. When we call attention to the wrongs of the world, and try to glorify God, we are viewed as peculiar. People do not understand peculiar. They fear what they don't understand, and worse, they hate what they fear. So we are despised and cast aside for our stance. In our time, that is what persecution looks like.

          Christ warns here of false congregations that vilify and slander the faithful. He speaks of tribulation and a time of suffering. These are not unknown to us in this time. Take a look at the messages that we here from television even from "Christian leaders". One of the most popular "ministers" on television today is nothing but a populist preacher spouting a prosperity gospel that people consume like candy, because his message is positive and feels good. He says that if you're faithful, financial success will come your way. That is simply not Gospel, and it is not Biblical. What is Biblical is this: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21 ESV). 

          So the question becomes, why must we suffer? If we are in the will of God, why is suffering necessary at all? The truth is, that we have an enemy. The devil attacks when God is working. When we are receptive to God, then Satan will do his best to interfere. His very name is the Hebrew word "the Opposer". What God would build, he would destroy. Peter stated long ago that he prowls about "like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." He "masquerades as an Angel of Light." trying to tempt us with what would seem like the right choice. We have to be vigilant and be on guard for these things. 

          This is what the sovereign Lord says, "Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.". The masterful poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson, wrote these famous words. "Theirs is not to make reply, theirs is not to question why, theirs is but to do and die." about a group of soldiers that followed their orders and charged into battle knowing full well that the man who gave the command had made an error. Their faithfulness lead them "into the valley of death" regardless of their knowledge. We have the knowledge that God neither fails nor makes errors, yet we lack the faithfulness of the "light brigade" of legend. We have every reason to be faithful, for our God is faithful. He is without error and will not change from age to age. He does not ask too much of us, only what we can do. 

           There is an old tale of a man who heard the voice of God. God said unto him, "Go to the mountain. Near the top, there is a boulder blocking the path. I want you to go and push on that boulder." So it was that the man took up his belongings, and packed a bag. He went up on the mountain and he pushed all day on the boulder, but it did not move. For days and days, the man pushed the boulder. Finally, in frustration, he threw up his hands. He turned his face toward heaven and he wept. "Lord, " he said, "I have done as you asked. I have pushed and pushed, and the boulder has not moved. Why have I failed?" Just then, the Lord reached down and plucked up the boulder and cast it aside. He spoke again to the man saying, "Child, I did not call you to move the boulder. I called you to push." God does not expect miracles of us. He is in the miracle working business. He asks us for obedience and for faithfulness. He calls us to push. Have faith, and press on. Be faithful, even unto death, and the Lord of Heaven and Earth will worry about moving the boulders in due time.