Revelation Chapter 3: verse 8 (NIV)
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.
What an encouragement to the Church in Philadelphia. Jesus knew all about them. He doesn’t expect them to be super strong and in control. He acknowledges that they had very little strength, but what mattered the most, even in such difficult circumstances, they did not give up their faith and deny Jesus. And He told them that now He had opened a door for them that no-one would be able to shut.
Jesus knows all about us too, and He doesn’t expect us to be superhuman either. We may feel like we are just holding on by the skin of our teeth, but He sees that as well and will give us the strength we need if we just ask. The prayer, “God, help me!” will never go unanswered if we are sincere. What a comfort that we don’t need to be on top form all the time. Jesus knows our frailty because He came in the flesh and He knows our weaknesses because He too had to face the same things as us. Hebrews Chapter 4 verse 15 tells us, “ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin”. That’s why we should never be afraid to come to Him for help!
Dear Lord,
I’m grateful that I need not rely on my own strength but can call out to You, at any time. May I be found holding on and never found denying Your Name. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.