[185 words]
“I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name” (Revelation 3:8).
The church at Philadelphia had a “little strength.” I’ve often wondered about the wording of this. They didn’t have a lot of strength, but they had some strength. And what was it? Maybe, as compared to others, they were “little” numbers or resources. Maybe it was something else. But whatever it was, they didn’t let that stop them from obeying God’s will (“have kept my word”) and staying faithful to Him and defending His cause (“have not denied my name”).
Because they were active, loyal, and doing the best they could with what they had, God blessed them with “an open door, and no one can shut it.”
What about you? What about us? We can bemoan what “little strength” we perceive we have, or we can put it to full use for God knowing that He will bring many wonderful opportunities and blessings as a result.
Edd Sterchi