Just Thinking about that Crown of Life

Be Strong, Be Well — Tuesday, May 18, 2021

How often we have read the admonition in Revelation 2:10 “...Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Our mind seems to go automatically to the end of our life, and we’re left wondering when the end will be and how it will be. Will we continue in the faith? Will we be strong throughout our lifetime? Will we be found faithful? Will we receive the victor’s crown? It’s scary, isn’t it?

To reach the end—that last day of our life, perhaps there will be many days, months, and years. Then again, maybe not. Trying to predict what we cannot know can be very troubling and worrisome.

We need to keep things in perspective. Fretting over the future does more harm than good. We can only travel from here to there one day at a time. God has never burdened us with more than this. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34).

Paul adds, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7).

Since we can live only one day at a time, we can be faithful only one day at a time. We know we have our moments of weakness. Take care of this today through study and prayer. If we fall short and sin, let’s put it behind us now. Repent today and know God’s blessings of mercy and forgiveness.

Yes, we can be faithful until death and receive the crown of life. But we can only reach that goal by walking in faith each day, day by day. —Chris