“…Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” – Revelation 2:10

Scripture reading: Revelation 2:8-11

God is a faithful God Who has kept every promise. Faithfulness is being trustworthy, loyal and dependable. And since our covenant-keeping God is faithful, shouldn’t that also be true of His people? We are being conformed to the image of His Son. We are those in whom the Spirit of God dwells.

Sadly, even among professing Christians, we find faithlessness. At their marriage, a man and a woman vow to love and be faithful to each other “till death do us part,” and then later break that vow. Church discipline happens in the church often because someone is unfaithful to their spouse, or unfaithful to their vows made at their profession of faith. This is not of Christ. This is not of the Spirit and should not mark the people of God.

The church in Smyrna was a suffering church. They were slandered, poor, and Jesus said they would soon face even more trials and tribulation. But then He said, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

The Holy Spirit is working such faithfulness in you and in me. Dear Christian, I encourage you to be faithful. Be faithful to Christ! Be faithful to your spouse! Be faithful to our word!

Suggestions for prayer

Pray that the Spirit’s fruit of faithfulness will increase in you. Pray for God’s blessing on your marriage and the marriages of your loved ones.

Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen was born and raised in California and has been an ordained minister of the Gospel for nearly 33 years. He is now serving as pastor of Coram Deo Reformation Church (URC) near Denver, Colorado. He is also the General Editor of the Trinity Psalter Hymnal. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.