When you kicked off this year, you may have made some resolutions. They
probably didn’t include any aspiration to suffer. We just don’t like
the hardship or pain, and we look to escape as quickly as possible. But
Jesus talks to the church at Smyrna and tells them that He sees their
suffering. He goes on to tell them that they will suffer more and in
greater measure. But instead of apologizing for this coming persecution,
the Lord talks to them about the perspective they have and need to hold
onto in suffering. And then He calls them to faithfulness in it. In
the end, Jesus has a purpose for what they are about to endure, and He
promises that He sees them and that they will receive a reward for
holding fast to faith as life gets very hard. These words will be a
great challenge to us as we allow the Spirit to sort through our lives
and the hardships we’re enduring.