Write this letter to the angel of the church in Pergamum ... I know that you live in the city where Satan has his throne, yet you have remained loyal to me. You refused to deny me even when Antipas, my faithful witness, was martyred among you there in Satan’s city. [Revelation 2:13 NLT]
Pergamum was a center of emperor worship reminiscent of Babylon when Nebuchadnezzar demanded that his subjects bow to his statue. Back then there were a few young men who refused to bow. These survived a fiery furnace and gave us an example of hearts loyal to God.
Though not as drastic as a fiery furnace, we each face times that challenge our loyalty to the Lord. Scary times. Moments when everything around us compels us to lose faith and to fear. In such times of challenge we are given opportunities to trust in the Lord with all of our heart.
The operative words are heart and trust. The loyal heart is one that trusts God when everything is falling apart. The one that understands that God is near in times of trouble. Our challenge in hard times is to not trust our own understanding but lean into our beautiful and loyal heart.
Teach me Lord to trust you when the heat is turned up.
... this devotion is part of a series from the book of Revelation
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