Day Four

Scripture: John 15:18-27.  J.B. page 1633.

 Observation.  It is difficult to believe that Christians are hated and mistreated and killed for believing in Jesus.  In the U.S., Christians may be hated, discriminated against, or verbally abused by some.  But this is not real persecution.

But persecution happens all around the world.   On December 24, 2017, eight young believers were headed toward the Pakistan-Afghan border.  Their van had a flat and they began to distribute leaflets and share Jesus.  Several came forward to place their faith in Jesus.

Soon, a group of men pushed through the crowd and demanded the men (5) of the group come with them.  And they five men were driven away and interrogated.  After hours of verbal abuse, the soldiers placed burlap bags over their heads and took them to unknown location until 4 a.m. After taken to a third location, the men were beaten on the legs with sticks to make them talk.  And told if they did not talk they would be cut up and thrown into a river.  But all of that would stop if they denounced their faith in Christ and accepted Islam.

Haroon, one of the five believers, replied, “I am ready to die.  I will not leave Jesus Christ.  He is my Savior, and I am his son, and He will get me free.”

After 52 days of imprisonment and torture they were released.

Their response?  They started worshiping God.  “That day was very exciting for me.  God helped us and answered our prayers.” (Story taken from The Voice of the Martyrs, (November 2022, pages 6-7).

Application.   Following Jesus will be costly.  Communion with God ignites courage to follow God.

 Prayer.   God, help me to spend time with You so I may have courage.