Daily Courage

[Judy Harder]

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 5:44)

Naji Abi-Hashem

I met Brother Jamil right after I committed my life to Christ in the mountain town of Bhamdoun. There, I saw him in action, inside the meeting place and on the street, witnessing, praying, distributing literature, and quoting Scriptures from his ever-present and well-used Bible. Some believers labeled him an "aggressive evangelist," for he constantly seized the moment to present Christ.

The years passed and I became a pastor amidst the unresolved political and military tensions. For the first nine months, I led the Wednesday night meetings by studying the Sermon on the Mount. Brother Jamil used to show up every week. We arrived at Matthew 5:44 and carefully examined our Lord's teaching here. Brother Jamil made his contribution as usual. After a few days, we all were shocked to hear about Brother Jamil's death. It was not a normal death or an accident. He was persecuted, tormented, and murdered by a militant Shiite group. He died as a martyr.

He was triumphant both in his life and death. He was a living example of boldly serving Christ regardless of the price. And finally, he was more evidence that martyrdom is still a vital part of church life today, as it has been through the ages.

I still hear Jamil echoing Stephen's words, "Lord do not hold this sin against them! Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." When they spoke death, hatred, and destruction, he spoke love, forgiveness, and peace. That is authentic Christianity under severe testing.

[Judy Harder]

Noah

By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family... (Hebrews 11:7)

...and he walked with God.  (Genesis 6:9)

An extraordinary aspect of Hebrews 11 is that it tells the story of people who all did something which no one else had ever done before. They stepped out into the unknown.

Noah built an ark though there was no precedent he could look to for assistance. Nobody had ever built an ark before, simply because there had never been a flood before. Noah must have been regarded as an eccentric and his sons as simple people who foolishly followed in their father's steps of faith.

In blind, unquestioning faith Noah acted on God's revelation. "Noah did everything just as God commanded him" (Genesis 6:22). In doing so he showed his unwavering faith and absolute obedience.

His secret, he walked with God amidst adversity. Throughout this year we will face circumstances which may seem absurd but let us learn from Noah that those who walk with God will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.

[Judy Harder]

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree; they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon. (Psalm 92:12)

Naji Abi-Hashem

Lebanon is mentioned in the Bible over 300 times. It is a symbol of beauty, pride, and prosperity. The Scriptures often refer to the fragrance of the trees in Lebanon and to the gardens that cover the hills. This psalm makes a beautiful analogy between the true believer and the cedar of Lebanon. First, the cedar tree is evergreen. It is always fresh throughout the changing seasons. And so is the believer who has received the overflowing life of Christ. His faith and joy are fresh as the Lord nurtures and looks after him.

Second, the cedar tree grows on high altitudes and opens its branches to the skies. So does the believer who is called to live on higher ground and who keeps his thoughts and affections in the heavenlies. He opens up his soul to heaven in worship and supplication. He generously receives grace and power. In turn, he becomes a blessing to others.

Third, a cedar tree is deeply rooted and could live for thousands of years. So is the believer who is standing on the Rock of Ages and has received everlasting life from Christ.

Fourth, the cedar tree spreads an elegant fragrance and its wood is very expensive. Likewise is the Christian, who was bought with an extremely precious price and was graciously brought into the family of God. Consequently, he is commissioned to spread the fragrance of Christ and to be an open letter of love, faith, and hope to all the nations of this earth.

[Judy Harder]

By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept, when we remembered Zion. There on the poplars we hung our harps.
(Psalm 137:1-2)

Naji Abi-Hashem

When you face a loss, it is alright to feel the sadness and stay with that feeling for a while. Grief and bereavement, like any other God-given emotions, are legitimate feelings. We should allow ourselves to express them in a healthy way and never deny, escape from, or push them away.

However, it is equally important not to exaggerate the losses, painful memories, or sad events to the extent that we fall into deep sorrow, despair, or depression. Naturally, disappointments are part of life but we should never allow them to generate self-pity and hopelessness. Like failures, losses are not meant to defeat us but to develop us.  No matter what your experience or personal situation may be, God is still in control. Just be patient with yourself and press on! After a major crisis of loss, work through your frustration, anger, or pain with someone who knows how to listen and who understands your intense emotions. Do not give up, sit down, or lament for the rest of your life.

My beloved Christian friend, stand up and reach out to the willow. Bring down your harp and start playing your favorite music. Revive your old melody and sing again that beautiful song, for the Lord is still on His Throne. Again, let me stress, do not give up and you shall see the glory of God. For in Christ the best is yet to come.

[Judy Harder]

I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name forever and ever. (Psalm 145:1)

Naji Abi-Hashem

The Book of Psalms is among the most read and admired books in the whole Bible. While most of the Scriptures speak to us, the psalms speak for us. They express our deepest feelings. We find in them music, truth, beauty, comfort, strength, and most of all praise.

Worship is an act of the will, employing the thoughts and emotions. Besides its theological significance, praise also has a true psychological significance. On the conscious level, praise clarifies our thinking and purifies our mind. It heightens our awareness of God's presence and might. Praise helps us to dwell on the positive rather than the negative. It virtually facilitates our personal growth towards wholeness and inner balance.

On the unconscious level, praise helps us to get in touch with the unpleasant thoughts and painful memories stored within us, like anger, hurt, loss, fear, guilt, and grief. Praise brings healing to some of our damaged emotions. It slowly infiltrates our mind until it is saturated. Thus, the new sacred thoughts gradually replace the old, resulting in restoration, harmony, empowerment and growth.

[Judy Harder]

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. (Psalm 139:15)

Naji Abi-Hashem

This psalm accurately describes some precious moments and draws from three beautiful aspects of our life.

First, Formation. "For thou didst form my inward parts ... thy eyes beheld my unformed substance." He saw our personality being formed. He wants to be part of our personal development and gently directs our growth towards His likeness.

Second, Information. "Thou dost beset me behind and before, and layest thy hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high I cannot attain it." God is perfectly aware of our strengths and bright sides and of our weaknesses and dark sides. One great comfort to me is that God knows me better than I know myself. Socrates once said, "Know thyself!" In my journey of self-discovery, I realize that I will not totally comprehend myself nor begin to grasp God's immense knowledge. But someday, "I shall understand fully even as I have been understood" (1 Corinthians 13:12b).

Third, Transformation. "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way." This cry is a precious pearl in the crown of prayer. It is a marvelous call for an intimate soul-searching process. It springs from our honest and deepest need for transcendence. Only the Lord can touch our emotional and psychological roots and bring insight, healing, fulfillment and peace. To Him be the glory, forever. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

My times are in your hands. (Psalm 31:15)

Naji Abi-Hashem

Have you ever wondered why God would not intervene in your most difficult situation only to find out afterwards that He did, but His timing was different from yours? How often we struggle to receive an immediate answer from the Lord only to thank Him later for not responding to our emergencies, according to our wishes.

This does not mean that God is removed from our particular situation, or does not care about our own despair. But he sees the needs differently, and therefore, plans special strategies to see us through.  This does not necessarily mean resolving the critical situation immediately, but equipping us with confidence and power to endure it.

R. Niebuhr wrote once, "Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time, and accepting hardship as a pathway to peace."

During the long years of turmoil and foreign wars on our beloved land, Lebanon, we diligently and earnestly longed for peace. We desperately wanted the severe troubles to end. A prominent Lebanese pastor later testified, "For years we prayed for peace and for the end of war in our country and God did not seem to answer us. So we stopped praying for the troubles to end and instead we started praying for courage, endurance, and strength. And God immediately answered!"

Beloved friend, although at times you may not fully understand, even when you cannot see God's hand, trust in His heart. For God is too wise to be mistaken, and He is too good to be unfair. He is definitely too omnipotent to be unable to be with you and relieve your despair.

[Judy Harder]

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father - to him be the glory and the power forever and ever! Amen. (Revelation 1:5-6)

Lucien Accad

Although I do not always understand the things my God does, nor see the reasons behind the way He does them, I am glad that this is how He works. It is truly wonderful. I love the ways of the Lord.

Even though I ask questions, "Why Lord?" from deep in my heart, and while I wonder how I can carry on, I have no doubt in my soul that He knows and loves and cares. He is described as the one "who loves us," Jesus who "freed us from our sins," and at what a price. Jesus has made us to be priests to serve His God and Father.

I don't expect answers to all my questions, just the peace that comes from knowing that He loves me, the peace of being free to love Him. If I am to serve my God I cannot claim as my right an easier life than that of Jesus. No, it will be hard at times. Answers are not necessary.  All I need  is to know how to live righteously before Him and, through the sadness and trials of this terrible world, praise and glorify His wonderful, mighty name.

Lucien Accad from Lebanon. He was the Director of the Bible Society in Beirut. His house was severely damaged many times during the war in Lebanon.

[Judy Harder]

But God came to Abimelech in a dream one night. (Genesis 20:3)

If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you. (Exodus 33:13)

Open Doors Contact Person

Some believers in Sabah have begun a new prayer strategy. Since they are prevented by law from reaching out to the Muslims, they are asking the Lord to bring the Muslims to them, through signs and wonders. And the Lord is answering their prayers.  In one case, a man came into a Christian bookshop, requesting to buy a Bible. He told the following story.

Some time ago he had a dream. In that dream, he was taken to several places to find peace. He could not find it anywhere. He heard a voice telling him to go to such and such a place and buy a Bible. The man believed his dream and came to that very book shop to get his Bible. He has since found peace with God through the reading of His Word.

God certainly works in mysterious ways. We may not have a dream today, but we have God's Word, a light to our path and a lamp for our feet. He who reads it and obeys it will never walk in darkness. Not even in the darkest night.

[Judy Harder]

Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things: I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!  (Matthew 25:21)

Noah

The building of the ark is the longest test of faith recorded in the Word of God. For one hundred and twenty years Noah was a preacher of righteousness which included God's impending judgment. He persevered in his faith though all the circumstances were against him. He did not receive any confirmation that he was on the right track, neither did he get any outsider on his side. What faithfulness, to preach, to evangelize for a hundred and twenty years and not have one convert.

Faith does not look for signs or confirmation. It simply follows God's direction and instructions.

To those who walk by faith God says, "Well done!" Not, good and successful servant, but "good and faithful servant." God does not look for success, but for faithfulness. Then those faithful ones may hear the most beautiful words, "come and share your master's happiness!"