Our Peace and Strength

In Revelation, Jesus said to the church in Philadelphia, “I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name” (Revelation 3:8, ESV). 

How many of you feel like you give and give, share and share? You probably have people coming to you hour after hour, phone call after phone call. Maybe it gets to the point where your strength feels like it’s gone and you have little power to give anything more. 

When you hit the end of your strength, perhaps you say to yourself, “Who gives to me?” 

Like in his letter to the Philadelphian church, Jesus answers, “I’ll give to you. Come to me, and spend time with me just to be with me.” His heart in this letter reminded me of when my oldest son was very young. We were walking through New York City, and it’s really loud there with cars, horns and sirens. Suddenly, he tugged my hand. I bent down so he could put his mouth to my ear. 

I thought he might have a question or a concern. Instead, he said into my ear, “Thank you, Daddy. You give me clothes and toys. But I wanted to tell you, Daddy, I love you just because of who you are.” 

A few days ago, I reminded my son, now a grown man, of that memory. We both were barely holding back tears. He’d forgotten that he’d said that, but I never forgot. That should be our heart for Jesus. That is the heart that he is longing for us to have. When we set ourselves to spend time with Jesus just because of who he is, he will restore our strength and set open doors before us that no one may shut. 

Jesus promised his disciples and those of us who would come centuries later, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). When you’re weary, tug on Jesus’s arm and tell him you love him. Spend time in his presence, and he will give you peace and strength.