CAPTIVE FOR CHRIST

Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt
preserve me from trouble;
thou shalt compass me about
with songs of deliverance. Selah
Psalm 32:7
Thou art my hiding place and my
shield: I hope in thy word.
Psalm 119:114

Other than the Word of God, there are two writers who are spiritual heroes of mine. One is A. W. Tozer. He is a former pastor, now in Heaven, who really preached and wrote the Word without hesitation, to the point without hesitation. I read his books over and over again and still learn from him every time I delve into one of his books. The other favorite of mine without a doubt is Corrie Ten Boom, a lovely Dutch lady, a Christian with depth beyond telling who spent too much time in a German concentration camp custody.

I have a film of her adult life with her sister and father, entitled A Hiding Place showing the dedication of this family in hiding Jews in their home and vicinity from the Nazi's during World War II. It is amazing the lengths those three people went through to protect “God's people” as Corrie's father spoke of them. During their time of protecting people, they were probably responsible for keeping at least 80 people from death or death camps. People came and went from their home as needed but all along, no matter who came into his home, Papa Ten Boom shared Jesus with every person in their home. One of his favorite Scriptures was Psalm 91, a favorite of mine. A treacherous neighbor turned this family in to the Nazi's and the three Ten Boom's were arrested. Papa lived only a week or ten days while Corrie and Betsie were sent to the horrible prison camps.

I write right now because of being so convicted as I have read again Corrie's book, A Prisoner and Yet... This book is Corrie's writings that speaks to she and her sister's death camp days. My conviction comes from the fact that I am a spoiled brat Christian compared to Corrie and all she and Betsie lived through, yet with strong faith and reliance upon Jesus for every single need...ladies of praise to the Lord no matter how horrible their circumstances and treatment.

Some things they experienced were:

Bunks 30 inches wide where five women were expected to sleep together.
Standing in freezing weather for morning count sometimes for hours.
Could only go to the hospital if one had a temperature of 104.5 or more.
Turnips in broth was the daily fare.
Each had a blanket that was usually lice infested.
Women could be called for inspection with no notice but often in the nude.
Work was assigned to women prisoners from knitting to building roads.
Clothing in the beginning was a thin dress with an undershirt and torn up shoes.

There were beatings, mistreatment of various types not just from the Nazi's, but even from other captives. Corrie doesn't claim to never know times of distress, fright and even depression. She was in her 50's during this time so everything affected her physically in so many negative ways.

In it all, Corrie, despite Betsie's death in the camp hospital, kept her focus and faith in God. Her prayer life was strengthened as was her influence for the Lord. Sunday's she taught God's Word sometimes 4-5 times a day in her barracks. She ministered to ladies who were in deep distress often giving up what little food she had for someone else in need of it. What was so amazing to me was her recall of Scripture. She had been raised in a home with a father who taught his children God's Word on a daily basis. Her recall of Scripture was always appropriate speaking to a need, recalling verses of praise where she would praise God for the littlest of favors she received. She learned to be grateful for the smallest of things, like a slice of potato on a small piece of bread, blue skies, stars at night, flowers, the voice of a child singing.

In my reading, I look at my life and at Corries. I have to ask myself some question:

Do I have a grateful spirit for God's blessings in my life?
How often do I have a spirit of praise for the big and little things God has given me?
How well do I know the Word of God should I ever be where a Bible isn't available?
What is my prayer life like? Am I comfortable talking to my Father about everything?
Could I be strong under the same circumstances as Corrie had to endure?
Even now, how upset do I become with the least inconvenience in my life?

That last question bothered me even more as there are times I've been very upset when things don't go my way. We live in days right now where we may very well be called on to take stands for Jesus that can bring us persecution. Am I ready should that happen? Are we ready to endure Satan's mistreatment with a Godly spirit? We need to women of prayer, hours spent in the Scripture, and we'd better be looking at our lives with all the possessions and blessings that are ours comparing them with where our focus should be...on Jesus who is with us despite the positive or negatives life brings us.

Father, thank You for Your goodness in my life and forgive my ingratitude for blessing me in so many ways. I understand all I own is temporary and my relationship with You should be my priority. Help me to spend more time with You in prayer and in Your Word. Thank You for the good examples I have from whom I have learned so much. I love you...Amen