Daily Courage

[Judy Harder]

So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him, because of his love for her.
(Genesis 29:20)

Ferenc Visky

Jacob had to serve Laban for seven years under difficult conditions to get his wife Rachel. In fact, the whole period of his service amounted to twenty years (Genesis 31:41). Love delivered him from the tyranny of time. Where love is, there is eternity, timelessness.

Convicts in prison undergo the heaviest crisis when the last remains of a life in freedom are taken from them. I went through that crisis together with eight other brothers - our heads were shaved bald and we were given striped prison clothes. Our sentences varied from eighteen to twenty-two years' imprisonment. We had to give up the life we had led until then. All of this was accompanied by derision and rough abuse from the guards, between grey walls with barred windows. All of us bore the visible signs of our readiness to die in silence. But we also experienced the comfort of the Lord in this desperate situation. He sent us this text, "...they seemed like only a few days to him, because of his love for her." I whispered it in the ear of the brother who stood beside me and he passed it on to the next. As if in a holy relay, it passed the whole row, "...because of his love for her."

God, too, loved us so much that He sacrificed His own beloved Son with joy to save us. Jacob didn't count the years, the only thing that counted for him was Rachel. Even during the long years of service he was a free man. Love made him free. When the apostle Paul speaks about his suffering for the name of Jesus, he says that the troubles are "light and momentary" (2 Corinthians 4:17).

When you love the Lord, your captivity for His sake, your suffering for Him is light and a pleasure.

[Judy Harder]

Therefore the prudent man keeps quiet in such times, for the times are evil.
(Amos 5:13)

Ferenc Visky

Keeping silent to conceal something is quite different from keeping silent to listen to God. When we conceal something we do not hear God's voice. "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one."

The well-known "sema" is attached to the doorpost of every Israelite. It is also on a small scroll on his wrist and on his forehead. God shaped and preserved His people by this "hear, Israel". But it is also possible not to hear correctly.

We had been in prison for a few weeks and there were eight of us in a cell that was meant for only two. We had all been convicted for the testimony of Jesus Christ. The evenings were harder than the days, because then our thoughts were with our loved ones, whom we had been forced to leave behind.

From the corridors alongside the cells, the sound of dull blows and an occasional restrained cry came to our ears. Someone was being beaten again. Our heavy, drunken guard sometimes picked out one of us and beat his victim up in the corridor. It could be our turn at any moment. We sat together like a flock startled by wolves and the beating of our hearts was audible...

The tempter wanted to make things even more difficult for us. One of us softly remarked, "We wouldn't be here if we had kept silent, for it is written that the prudent man keeps quiet in evil times." The words came down on us like sledgehammer blows. It is bearable to be accused by people, but when God condemns you as well, that is unbearable. We almost collapsed under the heavy load. But we were comforted again. The Holy Spirit explained the text to us through one of our brothers as follows - the prudent man keeps quiet in evil times, but he is silent in order to listen. To listen to God.

At that instant, the charge of the accuser was disproved and the terror vanished from our cell.

Listen to God and the tempter will flee from you.

[Judy Harder]

You know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
(1 Peter 5:9)

Ferenc Visky

God never tests us without comforting us as well. But the comfort is not always what we expect it to be.

It was the sixth year of my detention and I didn't know anything about my wife and seven little children who had stayed behind in the vicarage. The eldest of the children was only ten years old when I left them.

One evening, another group of prisoners arrived at the Szamosujvar prison. They came from the Danube delta and among them was a pastor who recognized me. He came to me and softly said to me, "I don't want to upset you, but I have to tell you something. On good authority, I know that your family has been deported to a temporary accommodation close by the prisoners' work area."

At first, I was deeply shocked by this message - weren't they satisfied with the sentence of twenty-two years' imprisonment? Did they also have to intrude into the lives of my wife and children? My heart was craving for strength and comfort. In this awful inner struggle, the Lord answered me. Like a flash of lightning, the words came to my mind, "...your brothers are undergoing the same kind of suffering." An inexpressible joy filled my heart and I gave thanks to the Lord for the favor which he allowed my wife and children to share. They, too, had become bearers of Christ's wounds. Gratitude and peace filled my heart. To the present day, I experience what a rich source of blessing these four years of severe suffering have been in the lives of our children. If you say "yes" to God's unusual comfort, your life, too, will be full of immeasurable blessing.

Ferenc Visky is from Romania. He and his wife write in a moving way about their life with the Lord despite heavy persecution.

[Judy Harder]

he was taken up before their very eyes...
(Acts 1:9)

...and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.
(Ephesians 2:6)

Ferenc Visky

A few years ago, at the time of my enforced emeritus status, I was summoned by the Securitate© once more. I had "sinned" against the state again. One of the interrogations happened to take place on Ascension Day. In the course of the cross-examination, this Christian holiday came up. The one who interrogated me had no idea as to the meaning of this day. He thought it was some kind of ceremonial hocus-pocus.

Unexpectedly, he was listening to what I said about this, "Christ went to heaven to raise us above all misery and suffering that happens to us on earth and also to give us victory. He never promised to spare us suffering, fear, disease and death, but that He would raise us above it. These things do not control us, but through Christ, we control them. I am in the terrifying Securitate© building now, but I am here with Jesus and He is more powerful than anyone. It not only makes the interrogation bearable, but even a blessing. I live in a heavenly perspective here and anywhere. How small the Himalayas are when you look at it from above..." (a Chinese saying). My interrogator treated me humanely and tried to save me. I experienced a bit of heaven at the Securitate©, in the presence of Jesus.

Do not deny your troubles, but allow Jesus to raise you above them. You can have a glorious life while you are still on earth.

[Judy Harder]

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying the gospel of God's grace.
(Acts 20:24)

Open Doors Contact Person

Somewhere in the Transylvanian mountains, in the little village of Livada, lived one of the great spiritual leaders of Romania, Traian Dors. He has spent more than seventeen years in prison because of his evangelistic activities. The last time he was in prison he was given so little food and water that he expected to die.

So did the Communist authorities. Expecting his imminent death, Dors was sent home to die. To make absolutely sure that he would stop all his Christian activities, he was also sentenced to "house arrest". "But I need to see a doctor" he complained. His request was granted. "You can see a doctor once a week."

"So I chose a doctor at the other side of my country" he told us, with a twinkle in his eye. "Even though I was very weak, I could still be taken to that doctor, enabling me to visit the brethren along the way."

"Shouldn't you stop? You're an old man now, isn't there anyone else who can do that work?" The simple old man just shrugged his shoulders. "We are the grain of wheat that must fall into the ground and die. Only then will it produce a harvest. We must learn to die so that the Body may live."

We may not have reached that point of commitment yet. But we can start by a willingness to live for Christ and for His Body.

"For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. 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 14:7,8).

[Judy Harder]

David is hiding from Saul in a cave. There is no way out. Saul is unaware of David's presence when he goes into the cave. David's men encourage David to kill Saul. "This is the very day the Lord spoke of when he said to you, "I will give your enemy in your hands for you to deal with as you wish."

How does David react to this "gift from God?" "The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to the Lord's anointed ... for he is the anointed of the Lord" (1 Samuel 24:3-6).

David

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.
I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me.
He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me; God sends his love and his faithfulness.
I am in the midst of lions; I lie among ravenous beasts - men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.
They spread a net for my feet - I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path - but they have fallen into it themselves.
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.
(Psalm 57:1-7)

David's answer is clear.

He leaves the judgment to God. This gives peace in the midst of danger: "My heart is steadfast, O God."

[Judy Harder]

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
(2 Timothy 4:7-8)

Remarkable Remarks - Counting the Cost

Chinese Evangelist after spending many years in prison:

"If you accept suffering for your faith as a privilege, it becomes your friend, and brings you closer to God."

Iranian pastor at funeral service of murdered Christian leader Rev Haik Hovsepian Mehr:

"Just as at the stoning of Stephen, for every stone that is being thrown, another Paul will rise."

Russian judge to Christian at a trial:

"We don't mind that you believe in God, but leave living according to your Bible until you are in heaven."

The response of the Christian:

"Your Honor, if I do not live according to the Bible on earth, I will never go to heaven."

Chinese Evangelist:

"Many Christians have been killed for their faith. But because of this, more people have been raised up by the Lord."

GK Chesterton:

"Christianity has died many times and risen again, because it has a God who knows the way out of the grave."

[Judy Harder]

By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
(Hebrews 11:31)

Rahab

It states plainly enough - Rahab the prostitute. And that in the gallery of the heroes of the faith too!

It is mentioned in Joshua because it belongs there but to be stated a few thousand years later, in Hebrews 11, seems to be so unchristian.

Yet she is not called by name and surname in Hebrews to show how terrible her past had been. On the contrary, Hebrews chapter 11 tells us that Rahab, by God's grace, began a totally new life. 

This sinful, pagan woman turned to faith in God. That is what it is all about. That is what it is always about. It is as if the Bible in Hebrews 11:31 is calling out - God can make all things new. Just as Paul says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

God changes a prostitute into a saint. That is why she is included in Hebrews 11.

We find Rahab again in Matthew chapter 1 in the family tree of the Lord Jesus Christ. Rahab was the new mother-in-law of Ruth, the great-grandmother of David from whose lineage Christ was born.

Glory be to Him Who loved us,
Washed us from each spot and stain!
Glory be to him Who bought us,
Made us kings with Him to reign...

[Judy Harder]

So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning. (Ruth 1:22)

Naomi

The book of Ruth tells the story of three women: Naomi, Orpah and Ruth.

All three had gone through a lot of suffering. Undoubtedly Naomi suffered the most. She had lost her husband and two sons while living in a foreign country. No wonder she changed her name from Naomi (meaning pleasant) to Mara (meaning bitter). Indeed all pleasure had disappeared from her life. When you lose all your loved ones, bitterness can so easily enter one's heart. Yet bitterness is often the result of self-pity. God was blamed. "The Almighty has made my life very bitter."

Be careful, Naomi. Don't blame God for your own mistakes. She and her husband had voluntarily left Israel. It had been their choice to go and live in Moab, while Moab was under a curse from God (Deuteronomy 23:3). What is more, Elimelech and Naomi allowed their sons to marry Moabite women. That too was not according to God's command (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). Instead of blaming God, she should have acknowledged that she had brought much bitterness upon herself. Yet God does not reject Naomi. He fulfills His plan and puts color back into the life of Naomi. It started when she returned to Bethlehem. The famine was over and the first harvest was being gathered. Gradually her self-pity and bitterness disappeared.

Whosoever returns to the Lord, will always end up in Bethlehem: the house of bread.

[Judy Harder]

Your people will be my people and your God my God. (Ruth 1:16b)

Ruth

The story of Naomi and Ruth shows that the relationship between a woman and her daughter-in-law can be very good. Ruth's love for her mother-in-law is central in this story, but Naomi must have been a lovable and sweet mother-in-law to her as well, otherwise Ruth would undoubtedly have returned to Moab with Orpah.

Yet Ruth chose to stay with Naomi. Had she discovered something of Naomi's God through her life? She makes this clear by saying, "Your people will be my people and your God my God."

Ruth, the Moabite, is included in the history of Israel. She is even chosen by God to be the great-grandmother of David, the great king, from whose lineage eventually the Messiah would be born. That was every Jewish woman's dream. Yet this privilege was given to Ruth, the Moabite.

In Ruth, Jew and Gentile are brought together. The wall of partition is taken away. Ruth met Boaz in the fields of Ephrata. Years later, in those same fields their descendant, Jesus Christ the Lord, was born.

Never look down on a foreigner. God certainly does not do that.

God's curse on Moab was changed into salvation for all people. Ruth played an important part in that. That which is despised by people can still be used by God to fulfill his plan. Nobody is rejected by God. So Ruth becomes what her name means - a friend or companion.

We can move forward together towards full salvation because my God is your God.