Private Endurance
Michael Fox
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.’’” Revelation 2:1-3
I struggle with giving words of affirmation. It is something that I need to constantly work on and especially for those close to me that need it. Reading through the passage in Revelation chapter 2, I cannot help but be thankful for a picture of words of affirmation. The Apostle John is writing to the seven churches of Asia, and here to the church in Ephesus, giving them some words and reflections. I appreciate the ultimate goals of encouragement and development.
There are two qualities John writes about here in this passage: endurance and patience. As he shares with the church in Ephesus, he encourages them that he sees their patient endurance, and furthermore that they are doing it “for my name’s sake.” I cannot help but reflect on my own life, and how easy it is to do things looking for man’s approval, man’s words of affirmation, and wrong motives. Too often, I want someone to tell me I did something well for the glory of myself.
Matthew Henry writes in his commentary, “Christ keeps an account of every day’s work, and every hour’s work, his servants do for him, and their labour shall not be in vain in the Lord. It is not enough that we be diligent, but we must be patient, and endure hardness as good soldiers of Christ. We must have and exercise great patience, and no Christian can be without it. There must be bearing patience, to endure the injuries of men.”
In 1 Corinthians 15:58, Paul writes, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” Our service for the Lord makes a difference. Romans 12:12 adds, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” At times the Christian walk and doing the right thing may be difficult, but it is worth it.
I pray today that I can have patient endurance in the work God has called me to. I want to recognize Who I am doing it for, not looking for the praise of man. I desire to glorify and honor Christ with everything I do.