Daily Courage

[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.

[Judy Harder]

And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14)

Esther

The name of God is not mentioned in the Book of Esther. Yet God is present on every page. He shows us how He watches over His people Israel. And He uses people who - at first sight - appear to be "secret" believers.

Haman, the Agagite, hated the Jews. His greatest passion was to destroy all Jews (Esther 3:6-11). The Hitler of the Old Testament.

But God watches over His people in exile. And He uses men and women like Mordecai and Esther. The Jews are not hanged, but Haman, the hater of the Jews is.

Queen Esther, imperceptibly, played an important role. She, together with Mordecai, would save the Jewish people from certain annihilation. Esther means "star." In Jewish history, she still shines brightly.

Yet she did not appear to be a shining light for her environment. She never mentioned the name of God. No, God's people did not talk very much, but God did. He spoke through His deeds.

So, in this "God-less" book we meet an almighty God who is eternally faithful and never gives up on the work that His hands started to do.

In our days, especially in Islamic countries, there are many "secret" Christians. If they would openly profess their faith in Christ, they might even face death.

Let us not give up on them too easily, but let us pray that God's plan in their lives will be fulfilled. Through our intercession we are co-laborers of God's church, for the honor of His glory.

[Judy Harder]

And a sword will pierce your own soul too. (Luke 2:35)

Mary

In our Protestant churches, we do not pay much attention to Mary. Maybe this is a counter-reaction to the over-attention that is given to Mary in the Roman Catholic Church?

Yet in this devotion we want to contemplate her life, her joy and her sorrow. It really is too much to summarize in a few words.

Shortly after Jesus' birth, while in the temple, Mary is confronted with the suffering that she will endure. "A sword will pierce your own soul." Just imagine what it must be like when that is said to you when your child is born!

Yes, the suffering of the child is the suffering of the mother as well.

About thirty years later, the sword pierces Mary's soul, as she watches the crucifixion and death of her son.

She suffers too, together with her child. She does not run from the place, even though it is almost unbearable to watch. She stays with her child. She sees His agony, hears the mocking, feels His pain. Which mother cannot identify with Mary?

Yet this is not the last time we meet Mary in the Bible. In Acts 1:4 she is mentioned again. She meets for prayer regularly with the other disciples. Her Lord (no longer her child) has ascended to heaven already. Her job as a mother has been completed, her task as a sister has started.

We do not worship Mary, but we do have to give her the place that she deserves. Most blessed amongst women. Bearer of the Child, her Savior and ours.

[Judy Harder]

Now he had to go through Samaria. (John 4:4)

Samaritan Woman

Just a few words - "He had to go through Samaria." It is easy to overlook the deep meaning of these words. Jesus did not have to go through Samaria at all. True, Samaria was the short route to Galilee, but a Jew never went through Samaria. They treated Samaria like a contagious disease and always made a detour through the Jordan valley, through Judea to Galilee or vice versa.

But Jesus had to go through Samaria. That means; there was something there for Him to do. There was a person in need, a despised woman, without morals, looked down upon. Sure, it was her own fault that she had lived a promiscuous life without ever taking God into account. But her heart was empty. She longed for real peace and happiness. Jesus meets the woman at the well, about noon. Nobody ever goes to the well at that time of day, but she did. She wanted to be there before all the decent women arrived. Rather alone in the heat of day, than together with other women in the heat of their gossip.

Jesus had to go through Samaria to transform this despised woman into the first missionary to the Samaritans. She had to change inwardly first, but when that had happened she became the first witness for Christ in Samaria.

Samaritans were despised by Jews. But God is always on the lookout for the rejected. The hated "foreign" Samaritans were visited by Christ.

He had to go through Samaria. Amongst millions he notices the individual person.

"But whoever drinks the water I give him, will never thirst" (John 4:13a).

"Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony" (John 4:39).