“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.  I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.  Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.” (Revelation 2:8-10)

     The church in Smyrna had to suffer persecution, mainly from so-called Jews, who claimed to be God’s chosen people, but by their blasphemous behavior they showed that they were a synagogue of Satan.  The church was told to remain strong and faithful.  The advantage this church had was that they were “rich.” To outward appearances, they might be poverty-stricken, but as far as spiritual matters were concerned, they were truly rich.

     We may not be rich financially, but we can be rich spiritually, and that can be enough to sustain us.  Once we do not allow money to become our master, we have a huge advantage.  Luke 9:58 tells us, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” Jesus was telling some people about the cost of following him, and if they wanted to do this, they had to take the emphasis off of how much they had physically but to remain strong in the Spirit.  If we are strong in the Spirit, we will have victory in Jesus.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I am truly blessed through knowing you, and you provide all of my needs.  I pray that I can be less concerned with possessions and more concerned with remaining strong in your Spirit.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.