I Will Keep You
"I know your deeds... I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name... I have loved you. Since you have kept my [word] to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth."
~ Revelation 3:8-10 (NIV)
Jesus speaks to the church of Philadelphia—"city of brotherly love." Philadelphia appears to have undergone not the persecution in which Smyrna proved faithful, but the trials of difficulty.
The purpose of a trial is to prove something: innocent or guilty; satisfactory or unacceptable; faithful or false. Jesus spoke in parables saying that those who claimed to be His would fall away in time of trial unless they were deeply rooted in Him, firmly established upon the rock of His Word, abiding in Him.
Have you endured a trial you thought would never end? Are you going through one now?
ἐτήρσαϛ τὸν λόγον τηϛ ὑπομονηϛ μού
"... you have kept the word of My patient endurance ..."
The Greek word used here for patience (see Monday's post) means to have hope and cheer through trying circumstances. Jesus asks us to stay under the trial, to keep faith in Him through it, to patiently endure it—and He asks us to have a good attitude which testifies of His goodness, not denying His name
He asks nothing for which He does not return much more. We endure weighty trials to prove our faith true. To us who keep His word to endure patiently, Jesus says, "I will keep you. I will keep you from the hour of severe trial."
Whatever difficulty you face right now, however fierce the fire, He is with you in the flames.
"Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? ... Look! ... I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God."
~ Daniel 3:24-25 (NKJV)
Son of God, You patiently, silently endured the fiercest trial of God's wrath on our behalf. In our hours of trial, please let us know Your presence by speaking in our ears, "I will keep you."
I appreciate hearing from you. Questions are welcome. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments or e-mail me—my address is
buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com.
Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Image source: fatherchecksblog.blogspot.com
I have hope and cheer amidst the storm. I'm sure glad He keeps me.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reminder.
ReplyDeleteYes, He is always walking in the flames with me, and I never get burnt. Praise You Father.
ReplyDeleteDeeply rooted. Those words are it for me. I don't want to be so swayed, so up one moment and down the next. I want everything to funnel back to Him.
ReplyDeleteMy longest trial was actually while I was in h.s. dealing with a family member.
~ Wendy
Oh Anne, how your reflections touch me. How badly I needed to hear this today, with a tough school schedule staring me in the face next year. Yet, God is so, so good to me. He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your wonderful words.
"I will keep you."
ReplyDelete...now that's what this one would say is blessed assurance. but, oh my! how quickly i forget sometimes...
T ~
ReplyDeleteIt is good to have cheer. "The joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10) And strength is needed in storms.
Natasa ~
ReplyDeleteWe all need the reminders.
Denise ~
ReplyDeleteI echo your praise for His presence.
Wendy ~
ReplyDeleteHe does not test us beyond our ability. With the trial He gives the strength—the Vine supplying the branches. I do wish we did not waver.
But.
If attached to Him, even in the wavering we hold, each test strengthening us for what lies ahead.
Gwen ~
ReplyDeleteHe will be there. He will supply you the strength you need. Don't overdo.
And don't ask more from yourself than He does. (I know you!)
Bud ~
ReplyDeleteWe are horribly forgetful. And so we must come back to Him each morning to be reminded. : )
Anne,
ReplyDeleteI'm always so encouraged by your words, and by the wisdom that God has given you. Thank you, wise friend, for sharing.
Jennifer ~
ReplyDeleteFor all the encouragement and wisdom you are, to so many people, it gladdens my heart to think I have done likewise for you. :D
and we don't even smell like ashes when we have passed through the fire ...
ReplyDeleteSusan ~
ReplyDeleteNo, I suppose we don't. As living sacrifices, the fire only purifies us and makes us smell more like our precious Savior.