Daily Courage

[Judy Harder]

If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

(Romans 14:

Mehdi Dibaj

My dear son, does it ever happen to you that you weep all night? But morning comes and joy flows.

Very soon we will see the fruit of the hard things in our lives and we will be satisfied.

This is our hope; the blessed hope that Christ is coming. He will lead us to life-giving springs.

To be with you, O Lord, is Paradise

To live in the Spirit is sweet and full of fruits

To die in your way, O Christ is life itself.

They once asked, "What will you do in the day of hardship and pressure?"

The answer, "I welcome the difficulties with joy, because I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

In the triumphal procession of Christ

We will go forward by the power of God

And spread the good news of His salvation.

[Judy Harder]

This is a prayer for the king, we could also say, a prayer for the government. Paul writes about this in 1 Timothy 2:1-3. He exhorts us to pray for those who have been placed in authority over us, that we may lead peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

David

May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.
May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings.
May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests.
Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.
O Lord, save the king! Answer us when we call!
(Psalm 20)

[Judy Harder]

"But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."  (Matthew 10:19)

Mehdi Dibaj defense - part 1

Not long ago, Mehdi Dibaj had to appear before the judge in Iran. In the courtroom, a defense written by Dibaj himself was read. It sounded like the testimony of a modern Paul. In the next few days we will copy this testimony in abridged form, without trying to rewrite it in devotional form. The testimony speaks for itself.

"With all humility I express my gratitude to the Judge of all heaven and earth for this precious opportunity and with brokenness I wait upon the Lord to deliver me from this court trial according to His promise. I also beg the honored members of the court present to listen with patience to my defense and with respect for the name of the Lord.

I am a Christian, a sinner who believes that Jesus has died for my sins on the cross. Jesus paid the penalty for our sins by His own blood and gave us new life so that we can live for the glory of God. He has asked me to deny myself and to be His fully surrendered follower and not fear people even if they kill my body.

I have been charged with 'apostasy.' In Islamic law an apostate is one who does not believe in God, the prophets or the resurrection of the dead. We Christians believe in all three."

This is the first part of Dibaj's defense, full of courage and faith. That is what the Lord will give to all who are not ashamed of the name of Christ.

He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.
(Ephesians 1:5)

[Judy Harder]

Mehdi Dibaj defense - part 2

"They say, 'You are a Muslim and you have become a Christian.'"(In many Islamic countries a Muslim who becomes a Christian may receive the death penalty.)

"No, for many years I had no religion. After searching and studying, I accepted God's call and I believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. People choose their religion, but a Christian is chosen by Christ." He says, "You have not chosen me but I have chosen you."

"People say, 'You were a Muslim from your birth.' God says, 'You were a Christian from the beginning.' "A Christian means one who belongs to Jesus Christ."

In this part of his defense, Dibaj once again reaffirms his relationship with Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God. Islam teaches that Jesus was only a prophet, not the Son of God. God does not have a Son, the Koran teaches. This is the most essential difference between Islam and Christianity. Dibaj witnesses of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Such a witness can result in the death penalty. Dibaj realizes that, but he refuses to deny Christ.

About such people Christ says, "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven"  (Matthew 10:32).

[Judy Harder]

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? (Romans 8:35)

Mehdi Dibaj defense - part 3

"I would rather have the whole world against me, but know that the Almighty God is with me, or be called an apostate but know that I have the approval of the God of glory. Who can destroy the relationship between the creator and the creature, or defeat a heart that is faithful to God? He will be safe and secure under the shadow of the Almighty. Our refuge is the mercy seat of God. I know in whom I have believed, and He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him to the end, until I reach the Kingdom of God. That is the place where the righteous will shine like the sun, but the evildoers will receive their punishment in hell."

At the time of this trial, Dibaj had already spent almost nine years in prison for his faith in Jesus Christ. If only he would deny Jesus Christ, he could be free tomorrow. Dibaj would rather lose his freedom and life than his peace with God. "I know in whom I have believed."

Do you know that too? Whatever the consequences may be?

[Judy Harder]

Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.  (John 6:68)

Mehdi Dibaj defense - part 4

"They tell me, 'return!' But who can I return to from the arms of my God? Is it right to accept what people are saying instead of obeying the Word of God? I have now been walking with the God of miracles for 45 years. His kindness to me is like a shadow and I owe Him so much for His fatherly love and concern.

The love of Jesus has filled all my being and I feel the warmth of His love in every part of my body.

The test of faith is a clear example. The good and kind God tests us in preparation for heaven. The God of Daniel, who protected Daniel's friends in the fiery furnace, has protected me for nine years in prison. All the bad things that have happened to me have turned out for my good and gain. So much so, that I am filled with joy and thankfulness."

[Judy Harder]

Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer. (Psalm 4:1)

Mehdi Dibaj defense - part 5

"The God of Job has tested my faith and commitment in order to strengthen my patience and faithfulness. During these nine years He has freed me from all my responsibilities so that I could spend my time in prayer and study of His Word, with heart searching and brokenness, and grow in the knowledge of my Lord. I praise the Lord for His unique opportunity. He gave me space in my confinement, my difficult hardships brought healing and His kindness revived me. Oh what great blessings God has in store for those who fear Him.

People object to my evangelizing, but 'If you find a blind person near a well and keep silent than you have sinned.' (A Persian poem.)

It is our Christian duty, as long as the door of God's mercy is open, to convince evil doers to turn from their sinful ways and find refuge in Him, in order to be saved from the wrath of a righteous God and from the coming dreadful punishment."

[Judy Harder]

Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)

Mehdi Dibaj defense - part 6

"Jesus Christ says, 'I am the door. Whosoever enters through me, will be saved.' 'I am the way, the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.'

Among the prophets of God, only Jesus Christ rose from the dead, and He is our living intercessor forever. He is our Savior and He is the Son of God. To know Him means to know eternal life.

I, a useless sinner, have believed in Him, and I have committed my life into His hands. Life for me is an opportunity to serve Him, and death is a better opportunity to be with Christ. Therefore, I am not only satisfied to be in prison for the honor of His holy name, but am ready to give my life for the sake of Jesus my Lord and enter His Kingdom sooner. May the shadow of God's kindness and His hand of blessing and healing be upon you and remain forever. Amen."

With respect,
Your Christian prisoner
Mehdi Dibaj"

"What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?"

Dibaj was set free two months after he wrote this "defense" - but was killed soon afterwards. Yet, even though he is dead, he still speaks.

[Judy Harder]

Make the most of your chances to tell others the good news. (Colossians 4:5)

Open Doors Contact Person - part 1

Pastor J and his wife were travelling by car from the southern part of Malawi back to Blantyre. Suddenly their car came to a standstill in front of an Islamic secondary school. Pastor J, thinking that his car was overheated, walked to a big rock nearby and sat on it, waiting for the engine to cool down. The scene attracted people from the vicinity, so Pastor J asked his wife to fetch the tambourine from the car and they began to sing some choruses. They saw the incident as an opportunity to share the Gospel. Eleven people surrendered their lives to the Lord - two of whom were Muslim students from the secondary school.

God can turn problems into opportunities, always - everywhere.

[Judy Harder]

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ. (Philippians 3:7-8)

Open Doors Contact Person - part 2

The two Muslim students who accepted the Lord Jesus Christ started an outreach amongst the other students of the Islamic Secondary school. Eight months later one hundred and seventeen students had become Christians. All of them were sent away from the Islamic school. Many of them experience severe persecution from the community and their parents. Some parents have refused to pay for their tuition in other schools. Many young people had to leave their parents' home and now find themselves in a dilemma. Yet they are prepared to pay the price.

Let us pray for them and others who suffer for His name. Are we available to be an instrument or channel of His love in our own environment?