They “knew” God but wouldn’t worship Him. These verses give a fairly accurate picture of where the world is now. Dark and confused. There are a lot of “wise” voices speaking but the situation does not seem to improve. Rarely is God acknowledged at all.
The church in Pergamum had a problem. It was the place where satan lives. Or a place where God is not acknowledged for who He is.
We would be hard pressed to find a leader who gives God first place. If we are not careful we begin to think that any good thing that comes our way, came from us! We did that! Look how smart we are. Without so much as a thought or recognition of God.
God placed some faithful folks in the middle of this evil place, where satan lived. Why? To be witnesses for Him in a dark place. The light and salt to contrast the dark and rotting decay of an evil society. A society that turned to worship statues and snakes. Greek gods.
We are not where we are by fate. If we are believers in Christ, our station in life or where we are living is not an accident. As shown by the believers in Pergamum, they were there to be faithful to God among the worshippers of Balaam. This culture worshipped counterfeit replacements for God. Believers were to be standing stones of witness for God in the midst of evil.
Thought For Today:
You may feel as though you are swimming against a strong current of worldliness. A culture that has begun to place more value in human accomplishment without recognition of God as the source.
When we go out into our world, our workplace, shops and markets, restaurants and banks, doctors offices, hair salons, schools and so many more places and people we come in daily contact with. Those are opportunities to give God credit for the blessings in our life. We are standing stones for God, placed where He needs us.
We must not lose out on our chance to proclaim with thanks that God is the center of our lives and the source of our blessings. We do not desire minds that are dark and confused.
Scripture For Today:
Romans 1:18-23
21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. (NLT)
Revelation 2:13-15
13 “I know that you live in the city where Satan has his throne, yet you have remained loyal to me. You refused to deny me even when Antipas, my faithful witness, was martyred among you there in Satan’s city. 14 “But I have a few complaints against you. You tolerate some among you whose teaching is like that of Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel. He taught them to sin by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin. 15 In a similar way, you have some Nicolaitans among you who follow the same teaching. 16 Repent of your sin, or I will come to you suddenly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth. (NLT)
Revelation 2:17
17 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it. (NLT)
Prayer For Today:
Hello Father! We pray for courage to stand up for You at all times and in every situation. You have placed us where we are to testify to Your authority, Your love, Your mercy, Your love for Your children. We pray that we do not fail any opportunity to proclaim and give You the thanks and all the glory. Forgive us of our sins. In Jesus’ name. Amen.