17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,

18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.

— Habakkuk 3:17-19

8 To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of the First and the Last, who died and returned to life.

9 I know your affliction and your poverty—though you are rich! And I am aware of the slander of those who falsely claim to be Jews, but are in fact a synagogue of Satan.

10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’

— Revelation 2:8-11

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, salvation and joy from Jesus Christ to you.

Suffering is part of life. Natural disasters, sickness, and death cross cultural boundaries. If God is good and loving, why would He allow people to suffer? God does not always explain His actions, but He sees His people’s hardships and hears their questions. Even if God does not remove the suffering or explain its purpose, He can be trusted. In faith, suffering believers can rejoice with the prophet Habakkuk, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to tread on the heights.” God strengthens His people to persevere through suffering!

God has given His children the book of Revelation that speaks to suffering believers. John wrote the book amid his own suffering—banishment on the small island of Patmos for faithfully testifying to Christ. John’s letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3 comforted believers pressed by persecution and martyrdom. We thank God that the book of Revelation promises Christ’s return to set up His kingdom and vanquish evil forever. This promise encourages suffering believers across time and culture!