Daily Courage

[Judy Harder]

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:30)

Irina Ratushinskaya

These words from Jesus seem strange. What is easy - and what is light?

Even the decision to start practicing it is heavy. But once having decided, we notice that it is easy. I experienced this in a camp with political prisoners. The life that the prison guards arranged for us seemed one dark nightmare. But by the spiritual attitude of my friends and myself this nightmare changed completely.

Why? Because we had an amazing sense of protection around us and a conviction that all the evil intentions of the guards ultimately would only lead us closer to the heavenly kingdom.

Knocked out by cold or hunger? Threatened with death?

But aren't we serving the Lord? The fear of suffering loses all its power when a person takes up that service.

The inevitable sadness only scratches the outer cover of the soul - but can never penetrate it. There, within, is only light and joy and peace. And from there comes new strength.

And every time you are astonished you remember: Christ did promise that it would be light!

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]

January 13, 2011 

from Day by Day with the Persecuted Church,

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

Mehdi Dibaj

What a joy for a little child to sit on the broad and strong shoulders of his father. From that height he watches the passing of people, the business in the streets. He has fun and feels safe. When he does get frightened he clenches his arms even tighter around his father's shoulders. He knows he can trust his father.

Is this not our position in Christ Jesus? In the day of trouble He hides us in His shelter.

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust'"(Psalm 91:1,2). The everlasting Father is our refuge. His immortal arms are our support.

Whatever our situation may be, He is always our refuge. During these past nine years in prison for my love for Him I have had the joy again and again of experiencing His strong arms of support.

Have faith in God.

Mehdi Dibaj is from Iran. While this book was being compiled, Mehdi Dibaj had been in prison for nine years. Early in 1994 he was released, but was murdered six months later. His courtroom defense was edited to form part of this book.

[Judy Harder]

January 14, 2011   

from Day by Day with the Persecuted Church,

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you. (Isaiah 54:10)

Mehdi Dibaj

The Almighty God not only gives us strength to walk with Him, to go forward with Him or to go up with Him but also to come down with Him to the valley of the battle.

Or should I say, I may go up to Him - He will come down to me.

I may sit, in the heavenly places, on His "broad shoulders." He will kneel down with me in the valley of battle and hold my hand. The more I visit Him up there - the more I experience His help down here.

The mountains of life may be shaken, the pains of being separated from my beloved family may hurt, the prison cell may be dark - His unfailing love for me is not shaken and my love for Him is growing stronger every day.

Mehdi Dibaj is from Iran. While this book was being compiled, Mehdi Dibaj had been in prison for nine years. Early in 1994 he was released, but was murdered six months later. His courtroom defense was edited to form part of this book.

[Judy Harder]

from Day by Day with the Persecuted Church,


Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand. (Jeremiah 18:6)

Mehdi Dibaj

It is to the humble that God gives His grace.

It is in the fire that gold becomes pure.

It is the rubbing and cutting that makes the diamond brilliant.

It is in high temperatures that the rust of the pot is burnt.

It is through the narrow gate that we enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

It is in great difficulties that men of God are made.

Lord, make me such a man.

[Judy Harder]

January 16, 2011   

from Day by Day with the Persecuted Church,

You hem me in - behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.  (Psalm 139:5-6)

Mehdi Dibaj

Truly, living with God is glorious.

The darker the night, the closer the dawn.

The darker the clouds, the more plentiful the life-giving rains.

The narrower the way, the more God's unlimited help!

The greater the troubles, the more the comforts from God. Though the waves of the sea get higher, this can never disturb the calm of the depths!

Though the storm is violent, it cannot displace the mountain. Those who trust in the Lord are like mountains that cannot be shaken.

The person who lives in the shadow of the Almighty will never be disturbed by the heat.

[Judy Harder]

January 17, 2011   



from Day by Day with the Persecuted Church,


For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through Him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. (2 Corinthians 2:20)

Mehdi Dibaj

"My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me" (Psalm 63:.

"When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul" (Psalm 94:19).

"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety" (Psalm 4:.

"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" (Isaiah 40:30).

"He gives strength to the weary, and increases the power of the weak" (Isaiah 40:29).

Blessed are we Christians, for we are God's children. I will thank Him forever for His loving kindness. I shout for joy in the night with my thankful heart. "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him - but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit" (1 Corinthians 2:9,10).

What a good God! What an incredible Savior.

[Judy Harder]

January 18, 2011   

from Day by Day with the Persecuted Church,


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:

Mehdi Dibaj

My dear son, does it ever happen to you that you weep all night? But morning comes and joy flows.

Very soon we will see the fruit of the hard things in our lives and we will be satisfied.

This is our hope; the blessed hope that Christ is coming. He will lead us to life-giving springs.

To be with you, O Lord, is Paradise

To live in the Spirit is sweet and full of fruits

To die in your way, O Christ is life itself.

They once asked, "What will you do in the day of hardship and pressure?"

The answer, "I welcome the difficulties with joy, because I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

In the triumphal procession of Christ

We will go forward by the power of God

And spread the good news of His salvation.

[Judy Harder]

January 19, 2011   

from Day by Day with the Persecuted Church,


This is a prayer for the king, we could also say, a prayer for the government. Paul writes about this in 1 Timothy 2:1-3. He exhorts us to pray for those who have been placed in authority over us, that we may lead peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

David

May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.
May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings.
May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests.
Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.
O Lord, save the king! Answer us when we call!
(Psalm 20)

[Judy Harder]

January 20, 2011   

from Day by Day with the Persecuted Church,


"But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."  (Matthew 10:19)

Mehdi Dibaj defense - part 1

Not long ago, Mehdi Dibaj had to appear before the judge in Iran. In the courtroom, a defense written by Dibaj himself was read. It sounded like the testimony of a modern Paul. In the next few days we will copy this testimony in abridged form, without trying to rewrite it in devotional form. The testimony speaks for itself.

"With all humility I express my gratitude to the Judge of all heaven and earth for this precious opportunity and with brokenness I wait upon the Lord to deliver me from this court trial according to His promise. I also beg the honored members of the court present to listen with patience to my defense and with respect for the name of the Lord.

I am a Christian, a sinner who believes that Jesus has died for my sins on the cross. Jesus paid the penalty for our sins by His own blood and gave us new life so that we can live for the glory of God. He has asked me to deny myself and to be His fully surrendered follower and not fear people even if they kill my body.

I have been charged with 'apostasy.' In Islamic law an apostate is one who does not believe in God, the prophets or the resurrection of the dead. We Christians believe in all three."

This is the first part of Dibaj's defense, full of courage and faith. That is what the Lord will give to all who are not ashamed of the name of Christ.

He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.
(Ephesians 1:5)

Mehdi Dibaj is from Iran. While this book was being compiled, Mehdi Dibaj had been in prison for nine years. Early in 1994 he was released, but was murdered six months later. His courtroom defense was edited to form part of this book.

[Judy Harder]

Mehdi Dibaj defense - part 2

"They say, 'You are a Muslim and you have become a Christian.'"(In many Islamic countries a Muslim who becomes a Christian may receive the death penalty.)

"No, for many years I had no religion. After searching and studying, I accepted God's call and I believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. People choose their religion, but a Christian is chosen by Christ." He says, "You have not chosen me but I have chosen you."

"People say, 'You were a Muslim from your birth.' God says, 'You were a Christian from the beginning.' "A Christian means one who belongs to Jesus Christ."

In this part of his defense, Dibaj once again reaffirms his relationship with Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God. Islam teaches that Jesus was only a prophet, not the Son of God. God does not have a Son, the Koran teaches. This is the most essential difference between Islam and Christianity. Dibaj witnesses of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Such a witness can result in the death penalty. Dibaj realizes that, but he refuses to deny Christ.

About such people Christ says, "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven"  (Matthew 10:32).

Mehdi Dibaj is from Iran. While this book was being compiled, Mehdi Dibaj had been in prison for nine years. Early in 1994 he was released, but was murdered six months later. His courtroom defense was edited to form part of this book.