Daily Courage

[Judy Harder]

 
from Day by Day with the Persecuted Church,


In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:6)

Ali Sougou

More people became interested in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and accepted the Lord. They not only experienced many trials and hardships, but also the provision of the Lord in great and small matters. One such provision was experienced by an elderly Christian couple, travelling home one day when their car started to sway dangerously. It wobbled to a standstill and Brother A discovered that they had a puncture. They had no spare tire in their car - hardly anybody has on those islands - so what could they do? They found themselves on a deserted road in the middle of nowhere.

"Let's pray about it," Sister B said, "Our Father in heaven knows our problem. Let us ask Him for help."

Yes, their help came from the Lord (Psalm 121). Another Christian came along the same way and had a spare tire! (first miracle). But ... nobody had a jack. "Lord, we thank you for the tire; please send someone with a jack." After some time a truckload of men stopped next to them. "Can we help?" they asked. "We've got a puncture, there is a spare tire, but we don't have a jack." "No problem," the men said, "we'll fix it for you." More than ten men jumped out of the truck, hoisted the little car in the air with their bare hands while another man changed the tire (second miracle). A few minutes later the happy bunch of Comorean workers jumped back onto the truck, waved and were gone.

Were they Comoreans ... or were they angels? Sent by God?

[Judy Harder]

On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers.
(2 Corinthians 1:10)

Jan Pit

From our hotel on the Comoros Islands we had a magnificent view of the Indian Ocean, while behind us there were charming hilltops to be seen. On the slopes we discerned small villages, tucked away behind palm trees and banana plantations. In one of those villages there is a Christian, the only one among thousands of Muslims. Visiting him was impossible, for it would endanger his life. He was so close ... and yet so far away. We prayed for him and pleaded his case with the Lord whom he followed. The Lord knows his whereabouts, his situation and He is acquainted with his loneliness.

We would so much have liked to hold his hands for a moment and to have encouraged him. To have told him that we remembered him. But we could not. It goes without saying that you start praying for someone like that, knowing that your prayer will be experienced by him as God's strength.

In prayer we can bring him before the Throne of God, so that he will know that though he may be lonely, he is not alone. The Lord is with him and we can visit him in spirit and encourage him that way.

That afternoon, I learned from another Christian that although he is having a hard time, he is standing firm. Yes, we ourselves will receive many blessings when we read of God's faithfulness in their lives. We can also encourage them by praying for them. A blessing and a responsibility.

Have you already "visited" someone today?

[Judy Harder]

More than conquerors. (Romans 8:37)

More than conquerors

On the last day of the year and on the last page of this devotional book we can sum up everything with the wonderful words of Paul:

"What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God be for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is it then who condemns? Christ Jesus, who died - more than that, who was raised to life - is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ... Now 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."

That is the comfort for the suffering church. It is also her testimony.

May this also be your comfort and testimony - now and always.

[Judy Harder]

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48)

Irina Ratushinskaya

It is the most shocking demand on Man, absolute perfection. No less than that. Is this really addressed to us? To people for whom it is already quite an achievement just to realize their sinfulness?

Some people think that the acknowledgement of sinfulness is a pretty spiritual achievement. But does it help? It is not just the diagnosis, but medical treatment that is needed for the recovery of a sick person.

We often hear people say "I am no saint', even with some kind of satisfaction, as if to say, "I admit that I am no saint, so I have fulfilled my duty." But that is only part of the duty.

Every demand made by Christ also contains a promise. He does not only command us to do things, He also offers us His help. If we would only believe it is possible! Perfection is an infinitely daring concept. It requires courage even to imagine it. Nevertheless the demand is addressed to you and to me.

How do our hearts respond to the demand ... and to the promise of this miracle?

Writer for the month - Irina Ratushinskaya from Russia was imprisoned for seven years in a labor camp. She has written about her experiences in a moving book entitled Grey is the Colour of Hope published by Sceptre Books, 1989.

[Judy Harder]

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48)

Irina Ratushinskaya

It is the most shocking demand on Man, absolute perfection. No less than that. Is this really addressed to us? To people for whom it is already quite an achievement just to realize their sinfulness?

Some people think that the acknowledgement of sinfulness is a pretty spiritual achievement. But does it help? It is not just the diagnosis, but medical treatment that is needed for the recovery of a sick person.

We often hear people say "I am no saint', even with some kind of satisfaction, as if to say, "I admit that I am no saint, so I have fulfilled my duty." But that is only part of the duty.

Every demand made by Christ also contains a promise. He does not only command us to do things, He also offers us His help. If we would only believe it is possible! Perfection is an infinitely daring concept. It requires courage even to imagine it. Nevertheless the demand is addressed to you and to me.

How do our hearts respond to the demand ... and to the promise of this miracle?

[Judy Harder]

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.
(Mark 11:24)

Irina Ratushinskaya

We usually add the following words to our prayer, "Thy will be done, not mine."

It sounds very devout, but is it? When a prayer is not granted, was it because it was against God's will or because we did not really believe it would be heard?

There is however one prayer that is always in harmony with God's will. You all know it. Its first words are, "Our Father."

Let us consider the prayer that Christ gave to us for a moment. The Kingdom of God will indeed come on earth; His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We will be given our daily bread and our sins will be forgiven! And we will do no more sin. The attacks of the devil will not be successful, for God will protect us.

Isn't this miracle greater than the boldest of our own wishes?

Today, presently - we can do it with God's help.

Are we afraid it will not come true after all? So what? We can ask the Lord to strengthen our faith in Him. He can do it. Now.

Writer for the month - Irina Ratushinskaya from Russia was imprisoned for seven years in a labor camp. She has written about her experiences in a moving book entitled Grey is the Colour of Hope published by Sceptre Books, 1989.

[Judy Harder]

The people who surrounded David had no more fight left in them.

Did they lose a battle? Did their crops fail? We don't know.

They seem to have lost their faith in God and they criticize David who continues to trust in the Lord.

How does David react to this defeat and criticism? He prays.

David

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.
How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him.
In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.
Offer right sacrifices and trust in the Lord.
Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?"
Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord.
You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone,
O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
(Psalm 4)

[Judy Harder]

Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  (1 Corinthians 1:20)

Gerhard Hamm

Paul describes here the main difference between human and divine wisdom. The world only acknowledges human wisdom and such was also the case in our country. We Christians were considered second-rate citizens. Oh how often children from Christian families had to suffer scorn and abuse! At school, they received lower marks and were labeled bad students.

Many things have changed in Russia since 1989. Never before has there been such openness for the Gospel as there is now. Once, during an open air meeting, a very learned woman came to me. She was a lecturer at the Atheistic University. She looked pale and confused. When I asked her what I could do for her, she answered, "I have been fighting your God, your Bible, the Christians for twenty years now..." She hesitated for a moment and then continued, "But I was wrong." She fell silent again ... "and now I want to know more of the truth. Help me."

Her head bowed, this learned atheist stood before a Christian who had formerly been considered a second-rate citizen. I told her about the Gospel and prayed with her. Then she went home, walking in the light.

"The One enthroned in heaven laughs" (Psalm 2:4).  For He is in command, nothing is too difficult for Him. The Iron Curtain fell and God is building His Church.

Is anything too hard for the Lord?

[Judy Harder]

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.  (Psalm 73:23-24)

Gerhard Hamm

It is not always easy to live close to the Lord, for the powers of evil are always attempting to disturb our relationship with God. But, thank God, Jesus is more powerful than Satan. People who know Christ may count on His protection when the devil is cunningly trying to tempt them.

I have often experienced this in Siberia. When I was still living in the polar region, where the temperature in winter was sometimes 56 degrees below zero, the KGB one day offered to get me out of the cold, on condition that I help them out in "a small matter." I was offered a good job in a prison camp with a nice, heated room from which I was able to listen in to the conversations of other Christian prisoners. All I had to do was pass on the contents of those conversations to the KGB. "We would only like to know what kind of things people talk about." It was a very tempting offer, away from the cold, no more forced labor. But the Lord was there to help me. I saw the viciousness of the plan. "Do you know what Judas did after his betrayal?" I asked. The man shook his head. "Judas committed suicide ... and I want to live."

The conversation was over. I did not get the warm room and the attractive job. I had to get back into the cold. But my heart was warm.

Satan always offers us a compromise, so be watchful. Christians who enter into a compromise are of no value to God or man. Only those who remain faithful to the Lord, anywhere and under any circumstance, are valuable.

[Judy Harder]

I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.  (John 4:35)

Gerhard Hamm

Although Christians in Russia were considered to be second-rate citizens for many years, we are happy now to see that many people show an interest in us. Many atheists and communists are disappointed and are searching for a new ideology. They ask Christians to tell them about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Yes, the fields are ripe for harvest in the former Soviet Union.

After the downfall of communism, I spoke at an open air meeting in Siberia. More than 4,000 people came to listen. I knew this place in the woods very well because I had looked after my father's cows there 50 years ago. Many, many people were converted and accepted the Lord Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Among them was a teacher. She came to us and said, "Oh, Lord, forgive me, forgive me, forgive me please. For years I have told the children that there is no God, but in my heart I knew I was wrong. As from this day, I will tell the children that there really is a God and that He forgives our sins."

Yes, the fields are ripe for harvest. If God can cause such a breakthrough in this communist stronghold, we can only say, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" (Genesis 18:14).

God makes all things new. In your life and in mine. Today.