Friday, April 3, 2026
Scripture Readings
- Primary Reading: Revelation 2
- Secondary Reading: Psalms 39
Key Verse
Revelation 2:15 — “So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.”
Devotional Thought
The risen Christ walks among the golden candlesticks, and He speaks to Ephesus with both commendation and correction. He knows their works, their labour, their patience, and their refusal to bear with evil men. They had tested false apostles and found them liars. They had laboured for His name’s sake without fainting. Yet one thing He had against them: they had left their first love. The labour continued, but the affection had cooled. The orthodoxy held, but the warmth had faded. How easily this happens in ordinary life. A man may still attend the services, still give to the work, still guard sound doctrine, and yet find that his heart no longer burns as it once did. The duties remain, but the delight has departed. Christ calls such a one to remember, to repent, and to do the first works. Not merely to feel differently, but to return to the love that once made every labour a joy.
To Smyrna, He speaks as the first and the last, who was dead and is alive. He knows their tribulation and their poverty, yet declares them rich. He warns of prison and suffering, of ten days of trial, and He asks only faithfulness unto death. Here is no rebuke, only encouragement. The devil may cast them into prison, but he cannot cast them out of Christ’s hand. To Pergamos, where Satan’s seat is, He speaks as the one with the sharp two-edged sword. He commends those who held fast His name even in the days of Antipas, His faithful martyr. Yet He rebukes those who tolerate the doctrine of Balaam and the Nicolaitanes, who taught God’s people to stumble. To Thyatira, He speaks as the Son of God with eyes like flame and feet like fine brass. He sees their charity, service, faith, and patience, and that their last works exceed their first. Yet He rebukes their tolerance of Jezebel, who seduced His servants. To each church, the call is the same: repent, hold fast, overcome.
Psalm 39 sounds a fitting accompaniment. David resolves to guard his tongue, then finds his sorrow stirred and his heart hot within him. He cries out, “LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am.” He confesses that every man at his best state is altogether vanity. He heaps up riches and knows not who shall gather them. And yet, in the midst of this frailty, he says, “And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.” Here is the posture Christ calls His churches to. Not self-confidence, not the pride of orthodoxy, but a humble, burning hope in the living God. As we walk through this season of Lent, the candlesticks remind us that Christ walks among His churches still. He sees, He knows, He calls us to return to our first love, and He promises the tree of life to those who overcome.
Reflection
- In what ways have you continued the labour of faith while quietly leaving your first love, and what would it look like for you to remember, repent, and do the first works today?
- Christ speaks to each church with both knowledge and authority — He knows your works, and He calls you to overcome. Where is He asking you to hold fast, and where is He asking you to let go?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, who holdest the seven stars in thy right hand and walkest in the midst of the golden candlesticks, we bow before thee. Thou knowest our works, our labour, and our patience, and thou knowest also where our love has grown cold. Forgive us for the duties we have performed while our hearts wandered from thee. Remember us, we pray, and grant us grace to repent and to do the first works. Strengthen us in tribulation, keep us faithful unto death, and give us the crown of life. Guard us from false doctrine, and let us hold fast thy name until thou comest. Make us to know our frailty, and let our hope be in thee alone. Amen.
Psalm Verse
Psalms 39:1 — “I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.”