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DEVOTION//Encouragement from prison

DEVOTION//Encouragement from prison

Blog, Devotions

We Americans have found a lot to grumble about this year.

That’s why I found the encouragement that a Chinese pastor wrote to his wife particularly poignant. Perhaps his words will touch and teach you, too.

A pastor’s encouragement

This pastor was imprisoned for 924 days. The government accused him of divulging state secrets. In fact, he was only preaching the mysteries of God of grace. Many souls in his city began attending his church. That attracted the attention of city officials.

While in prison, he wrote these words of encouragement to his wife: Never be dejected and despondent; always look up at our Lord, and always keep the spiritual life above the chaos.... Rest in God's arms. Be upright and take care. Be prepared for the rest of the road. I will go with you. [Know that] if the Lord doesn't allow it, not a single hair will drop to the floor."

Scripture encouragement

The pastor’s encouragement hints at a number of Scripture promises. Each of those promises finds sure foundation on God’s grace in Jesus.

Moses’ encouragement to God’s people is similar. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6).

Notice in that passage that LORD is completely capitalized. That’s because it’s the name God uses in the Old Testament to emphasize his full, free, faithful, and forever grace. The Hebrew word is Yahweh.

To paraphrase: Because the God who loves you so much he will come to earth to forgive all your sins, purchase your adoption into his family, and prepare a place for you in heaven

  • You can be strong and courageous.

  • You can live above feelings of dejection and despondency.

  • You can stay focused on him and his grace.

  • You can remain at rest.

  • You can be prepared for whatever hardships life has in store for you.

  • You can know that nothing will happen to you that is not part of the LORD’s loving and wise plan.

The Savior’s encouragement

The Savior whose birth we are about to celebrate assures that since those are truths for imprisoned pastors and their families, they are truths for us – no matter how upsetting 2020 has been.

Always look up at our Lord.