Dr. David Sylvester of Denton, Texas, shares how, during World War II, a young Jewish man known as Solomon, his wife, and sons Jacob and David were subjected to the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp. Prisoners were forced to work torturous hours in the fields, or were burned to death in the ovens if found to be of little or no value as a worker. Little David had an injured leg, which required a brace rendering him unable to work in the fields.

Upon his arrival from work, Solomon inquired of Jacob as to the whereabouts of his younger son, David, and the boys’ mother. Jacob whimpered, “The soldiers came to take David to the ovens, and Mother went with him so that he would not have to go alone.”

Many of our Daily Encounter readers may be in places where they fear for their life, and until recently we, in America, thought we lived in safety without terror, but those days have changed forever. No matter what happens to us, as Christians we have the promise that God is with us no matter what … even through the valley of the shadow of death. For he promised: “‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’”²

Suggested prayer, “Dear God, thank you that no matter where I am or in what circumstances I find myself, you are always with me and will never leave me or forsake me. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Psalm 23:4 (NIV).
2. Hebrews 13:5-6 (NIV).

According to Mike Johnson, one interesting thing about eagles is how they build their nests.

Those who have studied such things tell us that the building of the nest begins with all kinds of prickly and sharp things. Briars, jagged sticks, and other sharp things are laid down first.

The mother eagle then fills this foreboding place with the softest things she can find. Wool, feathers, and fur from her kills change the nest into a place that is not only desirable, but also inviting. Here the babies grow in a very comfortable environment.

At the proper time, the mother reverses the process. She begins to stir up the nest exposing the sharp items with which the nest began. She throws the wool, feathers and fur to the wind, thereby making the nest not so friendly a place to be. After a short period of time, the babies, now mature enough to leave, cannot stand the discomfort of the nest any longer—wanting to be anywhere else.

This is the mother’s way of forcing her babies to maturity. She knows that if they do not get out on their own, experiencing life, and learn to feed and care for themselves, they will have no future.²

While today’s scripture lesson was directed to the young nation of Israel, its message applies to all of God’s children. God will stir up our nest (our comfortable places of ease) to motivate us to grow, to mature, to depend on the Lord so that we, too, will renew our strength and mount up with wings like eagles, run and not be weary, and walk and not faint.³

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you that you love me just as I am, but love me too much to leave me as I am. And thank you that you use the uncomfortable circumstances of my life to motivate me to grow, to become more mature, and to make me strong so that I will be equipped to achieve the heights you have envisioned for me to reach. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Deuteronomy 32:11 (TLB-NIV).
2. Source: Mike Johnson KneEmail www.oakhillcoc.org
3. See Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV).

There is a story by an unknown author being circulated on the Internet that reflects the outlook of Peter’s letter to the churches in Turkey. You’ve probably read it, but it is worth repeating. It may or may not be true, but it does make an excellent parable if you keep in mind that Jesus made up stories to illustrate a point.

It is about a little boy who is about to have open-heart surgery.

“Tomorrow morning,” the surgeon began, “I’ll open up your heart.”

“You’ll find Jesus there,” the boy interrupted.

The surgeon looked up, annoyed. “I’ll cut your heart open,” he continued, “to see how much damage has been done.”

“But when you open up my heart,” said his young patient, “you’ll find Jesus in there.”

The surgeon looked to the parents, who sat quietly. “When I see how much damage has been done, I’ll sew your heart and chest back up and I’ll plan what to do next.”

“But you’ll find Jesus in my heart,” the young boy insisted. “The Bible says He lives there. You’ll find Him in my heart.”

The surgeon had had enough. “I’ll tell you what I’ll find in your heart,” he said coldly. “I’ll find damaged muscle, low blood supply, and weakened vessels. And I’ll find out if I can make you well.”

Later, the surgeon sat in his office, recording his notes from the surgery, “Damaged aorta, damaged pulmonary vein, widespread muscle degeneration. No hope for transplant, no hope for cure. Therapy: painkillers and bed rest. Prognosis,” here he paused, “death within one year.”

He stopped the recorder, but there was more to be said. “Why?” he asked aloud. It was clear he was speaking to God. “Why did you do this? You’ve put him here; you’ve put him in this pain; and you’ve cursed him to an early death. Why?”

The surgeon’s tears were hot, but his anger was hotter. “You created that boy, and you created that heart. He’ll be dead in months. Why?”

And thus a dialogue began between the surgeon and God. And in that dialogue this frustrated physician discovered a new understanding of God’s providence and love.

The surgeon wept.

Now he sat beside the boy’s bed; the boy’s parents sat across from him. The boy awoke and whispered, “Did you cut open my heart?”

“Yes,” said the surgeon.

“What did you find?” asked the boy.

“I found Jesus there,” said the surgeon.

In times of persecution and suffering, in times of grief and stress, when it all comes down to it, we have only one place to turn, and that is to the power of the indwelling Christ. If, at the heart of the universe, there is not love, then nothing else we believe matters.

As the Bible says, “Fervently love one another from the heart.”¹

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you that you loved me so much you gave your Son, Jesus, to die for my sins. Thank you, too, that because I have accepted Jesus as my Savior, he now dwells in my heart. Please help me to communicate his love to every life I touch. And grant that people, seeing Jesus in me, will want Jesus in their hearts too. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

P.S. If you have never invited Jesus into your heart and life, why not do that today? For further help see the article, “How to Be Sure You’re a Christian,” at: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9.

1. 1 Peter 1:22 (NASB).

As one author wrote, “Nike” is a name that interests me. We are told that before the time of Jesus there were also terrible wars. When an invading army approached a city, the defenders would go out to face the army.

If there was defeat, the men would be killed or enslaved, the women would be abused, families would be torn apart, and children would be sold as slaves. The people in the city had no way of knowing the news of the battle except by a message carried by a runner. If there was defeat, he tore his clothes, put on ashes and cried, “Woe, woe, defeat.” People would try to get away but rarely could.

When there was victory, the runner would be stripped to the waist. He carried a palm branch in his hand. As he ran, perspiration would cover his body. He would be shining in the late afternoon sun. People knew the message even before he arrived. He would run through the city gates and cry, “Nike! Nike!” Nike means victory. The runner was shouting, “Victory! Victory!”

Because of the resurrection of Jesus, this is a time of putting on our running shoes and shouting, “Victory! Victory!” In our lesson from Peter today, we read about “inexpressible joy.” That is what Jesus’ resurrection brings us—inexpressible joy. Nike. Victory.

Suggested prayer, “Dear God, if I could count the ways you have blessed me, perhaps it would take all eternity. And how can I ever thank you enough for your great love in giving Jesus to die for my sins and for his resurrection assuring me of your forgiveness of all my sins and giving me the gift of eternal life and salvation? Because you died for me, help me to live for you always in all ways. Please grant that my manner of life will shout, ‘Nike! Victory!’ to all who know and see me. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. 1 Peter 1:8-9 (NIV).