Daily Courage

[Judy Harder]

"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).

[Judy Harder]

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? (Romans 8:35)

Mehdi Dibaj defense - part 3

"I would rather have the whole world against me, but know that the Almighty God is with me, or be called an apostate but know that I have the approval of the God of glory. Who can destroy the relationship between the creator and the creature, or defeat a heart that is faithful to God? He will be safe and secure under the shadow of the Almighty. Our refuge is the mercy seat of God. I know in whom I have believed, and He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him to the end, until I reach the Kingdom of God. That is the place where the righteous will shine like the sun, but the evildoers will receive their punishment in hell."

At the time of this trial, Dibaj had already spent almost nine years in prison for his faith in Jesus Christ. If only he would deny Jesus Christ, he could be free tomorrow. Dibaj would rather lose his freedom and life than his peace with God. "I know in whom I have believed."

Do you know that too? Whatever the consequences may be?

[Judy Harder]

Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.  (John 6:68)

Mehdi Dibaj defense - part 4

"They tell me, 'return!' But who can I return to from the arms of my God? Is it right to accept what people are saying instead of obeying the Word of God? I have now been walking with the God of miracles for 45 years. His kindness to me is like a shadow and I owe Him so much for His fatherly love and concern.

The love of Jesus has filled all my being and I feel the warmth of His love in every part of my body.

The test of faith is a clear example. The good and kind God tests us in preparation for heaven. The God of Daniel, who protected Daniel's friends in the fiery furnace, has protected me for nine years in prison. All the bad things that have happened to me have turned out for my good and gain. So much so, that I am filled with joy and thankfulness."

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]

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. (Psalm 4:1)

Mehdi Dibaj defense - part 5

"The God of Job has tested my faith and commitment in order to strengthen my patience and faithfulness. During these nine years He has freed me from all my responsibilities so that I could spend my time in prayer and study of His Word, with heart searching and brokenness, and grow in the knowledge of my Lord. I praise the Lord for His unique opportunity. He gave me space in my confinement, my difficult hardships brought healing and His kindness revived me. Oh what great blessings God has in store for those who fear Him.

People object to my evangelizing, but 'If you find a blind person near a well and keep silent than you have sinned.' (A Persian poem.)

It is our Christian duty, as long as the door of God's mercy is open, to convince evil doers to turn from their sinful ways and find refuge in Him, in order to be saved from the wrath of a righteous God and from the coming dreadful punishment."

[Judy Harder]

Make the most of your chances to tell others the good news. (Colossians 4:5)

Open Doors Contact Person - part 1

Pastor J and his wife were travelling by car from the southern part of Malawi back to Blantyre. Suddenly their car came to a standstill in front of an Islamic secondary school. Pastor J, thinking that his car was overheated, walked to a big rock nearby and sat on it, waiting for the engine to cool down. The scene attracted people from the vicinity, so Pastor J asked his wife to fetch the tambourine from the car and they began to sing some choruses. They saw the incident as an opportunity to share the Gospel. Eleven people surrendered their lives to the Lord - two of whom were Muslim students from the secondary school.

God can turn problems into opportunities, always - everywhere.




Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)

Mehdi Dibaj defense - part 6

"Jesus Christ says, 'I am the door. Whosoever enters through me, will be saved.' 'I am the way, the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.'

Among the prophets of God, only Jesus Christ rose from the dead, and He is our living intercessor forever. He is our Savior and He is the Son of God. To know Him means to know eternal life.

I, a useless sinner, have believed in Him, and I have committed my life into His hands. Life for me is an opportunity to serve Him, and death is a better opportunity to be with Christ. Therefore, I am not only satisfied to be in prison for the honor of His holy name, but am ready to give my life for the sake of Jesus my Lord and enter His Kingdom sooner. May the shadow of God's kindness and His hand of blessing and healing be upon you and remain forever. Amen."

With respect,
Your Christian prisoner
Mehdi Dibaj"

"What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?"

[Judy Harder]

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ. (Philippians 3:7-8)

Open Doors Contact Person - part 2

The two Muslim students who accepted the Lord Jesus Christ started an outreach amongst the other students of the Islamic Secondary school. Eight months later one hundred and seventeen students had become Christians. All of them were sent away from the Islamic school. Many of them experience severe persecution from the community and their parents. Some parents have refused to pay for their tuition in other schools. Many young people had to leave their parents' home and now find themselves in a dilemma. Yet they are prepared to pay the price.

Let us pray for them and others who suffer for His name. Are we available to be an instrument or channel of His love in our own environment?

[Judy Harder]

Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." (John 13:37)

Irina Ratushinskaya

Impatient Peter, who always longed to go beyond the limits of his possibilities. Who would not and could not accept those limits. He walked on water - but doubted and sank soon afterwards. Who defended Christ at his arrest - but who had fallen asleep a little earlier. He was prepared to give his life for the Lord - but a little later, he denied Him three times.

It's enough to make you despair, to start regarding yourself as a failure, an incorrigible sinner.

Yes, and that is what would have happened if he had been self-centered. But all the attention of his soul was focused on his Friend, on the One whom he was the first to recognize as the Christ, the Son of the Living God. It is the same Christ he calls out to when he sinks - and he is saved.

He loves his Christ too much to allow his problems to distract him from growing closer to Him. That is why Christ chose his testimony to be the basis for our growth, "On this rock (Petra) I will build my church."

We should always acknowledge failures, but never focus our attention on them.

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus." Not on our failures, but on His faithfulness.

[Judy Harder]

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."  (John 1:14)

Remarkable Remarks - The Word of God

Josif Trifa - Romania: "A Christian without a Bible is like a soldier without a gun."

Russian Christian after receiving his first Bible: "The more I read, the more I want to read."

Another Russian Christian after receiving a Bible: "I could go to prison for having this book, but this book can also set men free."

Siberian Christian who had only one page of the Bible: "I wish I knew what is on the next page."

Koran: "God forbid that He should have a son!" (Sura 4:172).

Bible: "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

William H. Houghton: "Lay hold on the Bible, until the Bible lays hold on you."

[Judy Harder]

But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me whole-heartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it. (Numbers 14:24)

Caleb

Although Caleb was not an Israelite by birth, he was an Israelite indeed. His name is derived from a Hebrew word, meaning faithful, alert and obedient.

The name Caleb is also an animal name, meaning "dog", in which faithfulness, alertness and obedience are prominent features. You may never call your dog Caleb - or your child. We don't call our children after a dog, do we? But are the qualities of Caleb's name present in our lives - faithfulness, alertness and obedience?

Such a Caleb not only has a bright future, but also the strength to face today's conflicts. Maybe we should turn it around. Whoever faces today's problems in a spirit of faithfulness, alertness and obedience will have a bright future. He may count on God's promise, I will be with him and with his descendants.

What a promise - for the future - and for today.