Romans 15:13 (NIV)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as
you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy
Spirit.
The Rev. and Mrs. Robert Porteous were missionaries with
China Inland Mission beginning in the 1920's. They ministered in Jianxi
Province and they began an intensive Bible school. Beginning in the late
1920's, communist troops rose to power and began disrupting life in the
province.
In 1931, the Porteous family was taken prisoner by the
communists. They were led to a lonely spot on top of a hill where they were to
be executed. The leader said, "This is the place." The executioner
took a long knife from its holder and raised it above the necks of the
courageous couple. Certain death seemed imminent.
However, instead of cringing and begging for mercy, the
couple began to sing. The bandits stared open-mouthed as they heard this hymn.
"Face to face with Christ, my Savior, Face to face-what will it be? When
with rapture I behold him, Jesus Christ who died for me."
These two were ready for death and thought that would be
their last song. But, no order was given for their execution. The executioner
returned the knife to its place, and the couple was released and enjoyed
another 40 years of ministry.
How would you do if your faith were put to the test?
Dear Lord, thank You for the strength You give to us, we pray
specifically for enough faith for today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment