Daily Courage

[Judy Harder]

And the Israelites inquired of the Lord. (In those days the ark of the covenant of God was there, with Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, ministering before it.) They asked, "Shall we go up again to battle with Benjamin our brother, or not?" The Lord responded, "Go, for tomorrow I will give them into your hands." (Judges 20:27-28)

Antonio Garrido

The story of Judges 20 is not that well known. The Benjamites had committed a crime and the Israelites had to take revenge. Three times they asked God if they should punish the Benjamites. Three times the Lord told them to do so.

Yet, the first two times they suffered defeat at the hands of the Benjamites. After praying and fasting they tried a third time and this time they prevailed.

We Christians in Cuba are not going to take revenge on those who have persecuted us and treated us so badly. Our suffering is spiritual, not carnal. But we too often feel defeated despite all God's promises.

The story of Judges teaches us a spiritual lesson. For the children of God there will always be new opportunities to defeat the enemy - Satan - when we keep trusting our Lord. We too have often been defeated, but it does not mean definite loss. For the children of God it will never be too late. There will always be new, spiritual opportunities to destroy the work of darkness.

Let us claim, take and declare God's final victory, despite all setbacks.

Antonio Garrido, from Cuba, shares about his life with the Lord. Despite the battle, his meditations witness to victory and faith. He writes under a pseudonym.

[Judy Harder]

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Romans 8:35-39)

Antonio Garrido

The Church in Cuba has gone through many times of persecution during the last three decades.

Sometimes the enemy of God's people confronted us face to face. Sometimes the battle was more subtle, when they disguised themselves and infiltrated our churches as wolves in sheep's clothing. But they failed. We knew their plans. They tried to discourage God's people through loss of jobs, loss of education and other privileges. They infiltrated the minds of our children with diabolical materialism. But in all these things they failed.

Despite these trials and tribulations the Church of God remained - alive, growing and full of power. If God is for us - who can be against us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Antonio Garrido, from Cuba, shares about his life with the Lord. Despite the battle, his meditations witness to victory and faith. He writes under a pseudonym.

[Judy Harder]

Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." Then the Lord said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground."

(Exodus 14:13-16)

Antonio Garrido

The Israelites, with Moses at the front, were involved in a very delicate situation. In front of them was the Red Sea. To their sides the desert and behind them the Egyptian army to capture them. A very frightening scene. A street with a dead end.

God's people often find themselves in similar situations. Enemies all around us with a seemingly dead end awaiting. Wherever we look we see danger, anguish and despair. But God permits these situations to show us that there is never reason for despair. Certain spiritual lessons can only be learned in streets with a dead end, where the way to God is still open.

When things got really bad Moses obeyed the voice of God and struck the water with his rod. And the dead end street changed into a thoroughfare.

It always will... if we obey and trust our Lord.

Antonio Garrido, from Cuba, shares about his life with the Lord. Despite the battle, his meditations witness to victory and faith. He writes under a pseudonym.

[Judy Harder]

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." He said to me, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life." (Revelation 21:3-6)

Antonio Garrido

Although we know we are "not of the world", we need many things from this world.

When you are deprived of these daily necessities because you are a Christian, life becomes difficult and hard.

This has often been the case with Christians in my country. Not only was it hard for us to find employment, but it almost became impossible to purchase certain articles, ranging from luxury goods like cars to necessities of life such as food and clothes.

When church services are forbidden as well, you feel discriminated against as a Christian and you have to beware of despondency and hopelessness. But the words spoken by Christ in Revelation 21:5 gave us hope. "I am making everything new!"

Is this only valid for eternity? No, God in His might is able to make all things new now. How does He do that? By changing the circumstances? Or by changing us, so that we experience that in all these things we are more than conquerors? In trouble, in loneliness and in prison. For nothing is able to separate us from the love of Christ. He holds us fast, He makes all things new. Every day - including today.

Antonio Garrido, from Cuba, shares about his life with the Lord. Despite the battle, his meditations witness to victory and faith. He writes under a pseudonym.

[Judy Harder]

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

Antonio Garrido

God shall supply every need. What a promise. And we had many needs in Cuba. For more than 30 years we had a shortage of almost everything - food, medicine, clothing, freedom.

But we also experienced the truth of God's promise. The Lord did supply, especially in moments when there was almost nothing left.

The non-Christians were deeply touched when they saw how Christians helped each other in moments of despair.

God supplied, sometimes in a miraculous way, but also often through fellow believers. That too is a miracle of grace and love.

As is written in Galatians 6:10, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

God can supply - are we willing to be a channel of His grace? To believers and unbelievers?

Antonio Garrido, from Cuba, shares about his life with the Lord. Despite the battle, his meditations witness to victory and faith. He writes under a pseudonym.

[Judy Harder]

Christians suffering for their faith in Christ are encouraged and strengthened by this Psalm of David. He speaks about what he himself had experienced - struggle, suffering, loneliness and questions. But also victory, healing, encouragement and answered prayer.

"Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord" (Psalm 35:23).

David

Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord and delight in his salvation.
My whole being will exclaim, "Who is like you, O Lord? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them."
Ruthless witnesses come forward; they question me on things I know nothing about.
They repay me evil for good and leave my soul forlorn.
But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; attackers gathered against me when I was unaware. They slandered me without ceasing.
O Lord, you have seen this; be not silent. Do not be far from me, O Lord.
Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord.
(Psalm 35:9-12, 15, 22-23)

[Judy Harder]

from Day by Day with the Persecuted Church,


And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

Enrique Palacio

I was born in Cuba in 1945 and I heard the good news of the Gospel in the living room of my grandmother's house. When I was only 15 years old I dedicated myself to Christ. It was at that time that tribulation and hardship came to my life.

When I became a minister of the Gospel these tribulations increased, but during my 13 years of ministry, it was my faith in Jesus that sustained me. Whenever tribulations, trials, temptations and discouragements came to my life I was reminded of Hebrews 11.

When I had to leave Cuba I thought that all the tribulations would be something of the past. But I soon discovered that the same spiritual enemy was very much present in the country of freedom and prosperity.

We cannot escape from the wiles of the devil.

But we can draw near to God ... in faith.

"This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith." (1 John 5:4b)

Enrique Palacio, from Cuba, shares about his life with the Lord. Despite the battle, his meditations witness to victory and faith. He writes under a pseudonym.

[Judy Harder]

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
(Hebrews 11:1-7)

Enrique Palacio

The first man of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11 is Abel. The Bible declares that it was Abel's faith which allowed him to get close to God.

Hebrews 11:5 talks about Enoch, who by faith was translated because he had walked with God.

And Hebrews 11:7 talks about Noah, who by faith worked with God and for God.

Worship by faith is the most elevated function of the human soul. It is only when we worship in spirit and truth (like Abel) that we are able to walk with God (like Enoch) and work with God (like Noah).

Therefore ... "let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." (Hebrews 10:22).

Enrique Palacio, from Cuba, shares about his life with the Lord. Despite the battle, his meditations witness to victory and faith. He writes under a pseudonym.

[Judy Harder]

By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:5-6)

Enrique Palacio

The first verse of Hebrews chapter 11 gives us a definition of faith. It is synonymous with assurance and conviction. Hebrews 11:6 indicates that faith has such importance that it will be impossible to please God without it.

God exhorts us to be faithful unto death.

"Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life." (Revelation 2:10)

A road that is 1,000 miles long begins with the first step. Likewise, the first step of faith for salvation is the beginning of your communion with God. But although the beginning is important, we must persevere day by day, week after week, year after year, until that day when we too will be translated to be in communion with God through eternity. The continuation of our communion with God will then be rewarded; and so shall we be with the Lord forever.

Enrique Palacio, from Cuba, shares about his life with the Lord. Despite the battle, his meditations witness to victory and faith. He writes under a pseudonym.

[Judy Harder]

By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.  (Hebrews 11:7)

Enrique Palacio

True faith is demonstrated in deeds. In other words, faith must be manifested in the way we live, act and behave.

Noah gave evidence of this reality when he heard God's command and acted upon it. For many, many years Noah built in faith. No signs of rain or destruction were there. But he built and waited.

Christ compares the end times with the days of Noah, "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man."  (Matthew 24:37-39).

Noah lived in a time of grace and judgment. He lived in a time of tremendous apostasy. All around him was evil, sin and unbelief. Yet Noah had faith in God. And when judgment came he was safe.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me." (John 14:1)

"Watch, therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming."

Enrique Palacio, from Cuba, shares about his life with the Lord. Despite the battle, his meditations witness to victory and faith. He writes under a pseudonym.