October 19, 2022
Daily Devotion:
"We Shall Overcome"
Revelation 13:10
English Standard Version
10 If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.
For all the mystery surrounding John's apocalypse, it is virtually impossible to miss its clarion call to faithful endurance. In fact today's verse is repeated virtually verbatim in the very next chapter. Strikingly, the theme of overcoming is central to the seven letters to the seven churches. Each and every one of them concludes with a specific promise for those who endure. To Those who overcome, says Christ, I will give: the right to eat from the tree of life in God's paradise; the crown of life that will keep them from being destroyed by the second death; both the “hidden manna" and a white stone with a new name written on it; and authority over nations; and being dressed in white; and being made a pillar of the temple of God; and the right to sit with me on my throne. Wow! Is it any wonder that "We Shall Overcome" was adopted as the anthem of the civil rights movement? While its use as a protest song might suggest the idea of winning some victory, "overcoming" is not about conquering, but enduring. Or is it? In order to endure, we must first conquer. Conquer our fears, conquer our desires, and conquer the temptation to give up and give in. John's apocalypse was written as a letter of encouragement for a beleaguered generation of Christians who had become objects of persecution and even martyrdom. It was important for them to be reminded of the end game-to know that in the world to come they would be rewarded for their steadfastness in the face of fear. Maybe we don't face the same prospect of martyrdom as they-so far but overcoming what spiritual challenges we do face is just as crucial.
The question of overcoming it is: Do I have the depth of faith and commitment that would keep me faithful no matter what the consequences?
