RICH IN JESUS

"I know about your suffering and your poverty – but you are rich!" Revelation 2:9

These dozen words from Jesus speak volumes about our life, first in the world and then in Him. First, let’s look at our life in the world.

The words from Jesus, "I know your poverty and suffering" addressed the plight of the people of the church in Smyrna. We too often go through the same plight. Whether then or now, we discover two important things through these spoken words of the risen Savior.

First, Jesus knows us and what we’re going through. There isn’t anything that happens to us that is out of His sight. Anytime we think He is far from us, we need only seek Him to find He is right next to us, ready to assist. I’m reminded of the famous writing titled "Footprints in the Sand". You may recall that the narrator speaks about walking through his life with Jesus on the beach with each leaving their footprints in the sand. During a particularly difficult time, the man notices that there is only one set of footprints in the sand. He questions Jesus as to how He could have abandoned the man when he needed Him most. Jesus calmly explains that the single set of footprints in the sand were not the man’s but rather His. He tells the man that during his difficult time, He was carrying him.

Question: Have you been through difficulties? Poverty? Suffering? Did you allow Jesus to carry you through?

Second, Jesus shows us He cares for us and loves us. By noticing our circumstances, He lets us know we count…that we are valued. Otherwise, He could simply choose to be indifferent to what we go through. What an awesome assurance we have that our Savior loves us and knows our troubles.

Now that we have examined Jesus’ words about our life in the world, we need to focus on His words about life in Him. He reminds us that no matter what our worldly circumstances, we are abundantly rich through Him and the promise He gives us…the promise of eternal life after death. We are heirs to Heaven through Jesus who provided a rich inheritance through His death and resurrection. So no matter what our worldly circumstances might be…we are all rich if we know and trust in Jesus. For all of us, that’s good news.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.

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