Daily Courage

[Judy Harder]

Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary. (Psalm 96:6)

Naji Abi-Hashem

If we had walked through the streets of Beirut, Lebanon in 1985 or Vukovar, Croatia in Europe, in 1994, we would have seen severe destruction and death, experienced deep sorrow and sadness, and would have come in touch with the dark side of human nature. But if we enter the sanctuary of God, we will be greatly moved and impressed by His glorious personal attributes and divine presence.

The very thought of entering into the presence of the Almighty God causes us to feel a sense of awe and reverence, the emotion of delight, and an attitude of trust and faith. The result is often a deliberate act of worship and commitment on our part. We come to realize that our God is still in charge.  Thus our spirits will be filled with peace, despite the circumstances. Our bones will be charged with energy and our mouths will testify the mercy of God for a dying world.

Naji Abi-Hashem from Lebanon.

[Judy Harder]

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him. (Colossians 1:15, 19)

Naji Abi-Hashem

Jesus Christ is the full revelation of God. He is the absolute Word and God incarnate. He is the person that overshadows all other persons and the name that surpasses all names. He is the powerful Son of God and loving Savior of mankind. His personality and works are so profound that a genius cannot comprehend them. In addition, Jesus Christ is the ultimate standard for moral/ethical values and the supreme example of personal maturity.

He is our role model and comprehensive guide, gentle Master and wise mentor, empathetic Counselor and therapeutic Healer, reliable Savior and accomplished Redeemer, close Friend and faithful Companion, our holy and yet merciful Lord.

This is the Christ whom we love and serve and in whom we believe and trust. May His magnificent person be glorified forever.

Naji Abi-Hashem from Lebanon.

[Judy Harder]

Daily Courage

Tuesday, November 17, 2009 

from Day by Day with the Persecuted Church,


In a very short time, will not Lebanon be turned into a fertile field and the fertile field seem like a forest?
(Isaiah 29:17)

Naji Abi-Hashem

How many times, while I was in the United States pursuing my doctorate, and when Beirut was under heavy shelling and bombing, I wished I could go home. I remembered the tragedies, fears, and endless agonies of my people. Oh, how many times I wished I could be with them, to go through the same suffering, bear the same pain, and experience the same horror. However, that triggered me to intercede intensely on their behalf and raise prayer support.  In the States people would often ask, "Aren't you glad you are here instead of there?" My immediate reply always was, "No, I'd rather be with my people at this critical time." For I have tasted the trouble of wars.

City wars mean surviving on extremely scarce resources, staying in basements for weeks with no electricity, fresh water, heat, or telephone lines. It means seeing your house hit or your car burned, hearing that a neighbor, friend, or relative has been killed, and putting your life on the line each time you go out and try to buy some bread or vegetables, if any were available.

Many others like me, who love Lebanon, and are genuinely interested in its future and potential for a productive ministry in the whole Middle East, are earnestly praying for its healing and recovery, are closely watching the unfolding of events, and are fervently claiming the precious promises of old. Is it not yet a very little while until Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field? Will you please pray with us that this promise will soon be fulfilled?

Naji Abi-Hashem from Lebanon.

[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.

Naji Abi-Hashem from Lebanon.

[Judy Harder]

Although David feels like he has been deserted by God and men, he still knows that God will help him in times of need. "But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation."

David

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?
Look on me and answer, O Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;
my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.
(Psalm 13)

[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.

Naji Abi-Hashem from Lebanon.

[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.

Naji Abi-Hashem from Lebanon.

[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.

Naji Abi-Hashem from Lebanon.

[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.

Naji Abi-Hashem from Lebanon.

[Judy Harder]

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (Psalm 51:12)

Naji Abi-Hashem

Every time we violate our values or faith, we suffer from inner tension and guilt feelings. This principle is true, regardless of our religious commitment or ideological orientation. It is a function of conscience that God has designed, as part of His image within us. Each time we intentionally commit a sin or consciously fall into a temptation, we endure serious consequences. Some element dies inside of us, as if sin has a destructive power to kill healthy spiritual cells in our organism. To recover from that impact is, at times, like recovering from a major surgical operation.

On the other hand, our conscience will stop bothering us if we repeatedly violate the same value or standard. Gradually, we lose the intensity of the guilt, not because our conscience has become crippled but because our norms have been modified, softened, and therefore, compromised. 

Mercifully, God affirms us in that when failure occurs, restoration is needed and forgiveness is available. We are called to be a people of principle, to cultivate righteousness and to have clear moral and ethical values based on sound biblical standards.  May the Lord grant us that virtue.

Naji Abi-Hashem from Lebanon.