When a person is looking for comfort and solace, Christians (Including me) easily flip the pages of our bible to the following words, ‘The eternal God is your refuge’, and ‘God is our refuge and strength.’ One of the greatest song writers of the bible times, King David, the Psalmist said: ‘God is my refuge and my fortress’. I hope the psalmist meant what he said, because they are profound words from a man of such stature.
David was the King of Israel, and can you image what this King lacked to make such a statement. To my understanding, a King in himself is a refuge and a fortress to the people of his kingdom. However, David says, God is my refuge! I am astounded.
With this as an Introduction, I would like to share an experience which is true and which has challenged and made me think. Names are changed for confidentiality purpose.
Salem and his family - loving wife and a teenage son are from Iran. They are from a nation which is governed by strong Islamic law. The Islamic law is very stringent in Iran, and there is no margin for error, especially when it comes to religious Issues. Salem is from a middle class family, where he and his family share a rich family heritage. Their family members are pious believers of the Islamic faith.
Salem decided to pursue his graduate studies and he comes to Delhi, the capital of India. After his arrival, it took sometime for the family to settle down. Salem enrolls himself for a commerce program in the Delhi University, his son Husain enrolls for tenth grade in a nearby local school. Salem’s wife Nafisa is coping with the new environment and managing the house. Back home in Iran, the family members where happy about the progress of Salem and his family. There was constant support from home.
When everything was going on well, an incident took place that changed the entire course of the three. Through a local minister, Salem heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, and response to the gospel without looking at the consequences. In due course of time Salem’s faith grew stronger day by day. He fell in love with Jesus. Salem shared this overflowing joy to Nafisa and Husain; they also put their trust in Jesus Christ. The Salems started their faith journey by praying and reading the Word of God, and they cherished every moment, life in Jesus.
One day Salem realized his roots, and looked back. He shared this experience and joy to his family member back home in Iran. But there was a negative response. The situation in Iran is, if a person converts to other faith from Islam, he is liable for capital punishment. Being a Islamic law driven state, the government supports the same. Salem was sure that, the moment we land in Iran, we would be sentenced to death.
I (Emmi) was wondering, if Salem had taken a wrong decision by accepting Christ, without looking at the consequences! I wonder in what mindset did, Salem accept Christ? Did Salem realize the future consequences that he and his family would face? Well, after my discussion with The Salems, I was wrong! They were sure in their decision and never was there a second thought. (I am challenged. Can you and I be bold enough to take a stand like The Salems?)
Salem has finished his course, and Husain is also finishing his schooling. But what next for The Salems? They cannot go back home as death awaits them in Iran. He cannot be in India, as he is not permitted to be a resident of India. Where will they go? What is the future of the trio, for accepting Christ? The Salems have requested the Government of India for ‘Refugee Status’ in India.
Look at plight of the Salems for making one crucial decision in their life. Which is the most important of all? I’m imagining what should be running in Salem’s mind: is this the reward I and my family get for accepting Jesus Christ? Me, having everything in life back home; I am living under the mercy of someone. What a plight!
I have noticed that The Salems have never given up in following Jesus, in spite of what they are going through. The trio boldly testifies that Our God (Yahweh) is our Refuge. Many a times we (including me) sing, read, and profess, ‘GOD is our Refuge’, just because the situation demands it. Are there similar situations such as what the Salems are going through? Do we still profess ‘GOD is our Refuge?’
GOD IS MY REFUGE AND STRENGTH!
David was the King of Israel, and can you image what this King lacked to make such a statement. To my understanding, a King in himself is a refuge and a fortress to the people of his kingdom. However, David says, God is my refuge! I am astounded.
With this as an Introduction, I would like to share an experience which is true and which has challenged and made me think. Names are changed for confidentiality purpose.
Salem and his family - loving wife and a teenage son are from Iran. They are from a nation which is governed by strong Islamic law. The Islamic law is very stringent in Iran, and there is no margin for error, especially when it comes to religious Issues. Salem is from a middle class family, where he and his family share a rich family heritage. Their family members are pious believers of the Islamic faith.
Salem decided to pursue his graduate studies and he comes to Delhi, the capital of India. After his arrival, it took sometime for the family to settle down. Salem enrolls himself for a commerce program in the Delhi University, his son Husain enrolls for tenth grade in a nearby local school. Salem’s wife Nafisa is coping with the new environment and managing the house. Back home in Iran, the family members where happy about the progress of Salem and his family. There was constant support from home.
When everything was going on well, an incident took place that changed the entire course of the three. Through a local minister, Salem heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, and response to the gospel without looking at the consequences. In due course of time Salem’s faith grew stronger day by day. He fell in love with Jesus. Salem shared this overflowing joy to Nafisa and Husain; they also put their trust in Jesus Christ. The Salems started their faith journey by praying and reading the Word of God, and they cherished every moment, life in Jesus.
One day Salem realized his roots, and looked back. He shared this experience and joy to his family member back home in Iran. But there was a negative response. The situation in Iran is, if a person converts to other faith from Islam, he is liable for capital punishment. Being a Islamic law driven state, the government supports the same. Salem was sure that, the moment we land in Iran, we would be sentenced to death.
I (Emmi) was wondering, if Salem had taken a wrong decision by accepting Christ, without looking at the consequences! I wonder in what mindset did, Salem accept Christ? Did Salem realize the future consequences that he and his family would face? Well, after my discussion with The Salems, I was wrong! They were sure in their decision and never was there a second thought. (I am challenged. Can you and I be bold enough to take a stand like The Salems?)
Salem has finished his course, and Husain is also finishing his schooling. But what next for The Salems? They cannot go back home as death awaits them in Iran. He cannot be in India, as he is not permitted to be a resident of India. Where will they go? What is the future of the trio, for accepting Christ? The Salems have requested the Government of India for ‘Refugee Status’ in India.
Look at plight of the Salems for making one crucial decision in their life. Which is the most important of all? I’m imagining what should be running in Salem’s mind: is this the reward I and my family get for accepting Jesus Christ? Me, having everything in life back home; I am living under the mercy of someone. What a plight!
I have noticed that The Salems have never given up in following Jesus, in spite of what they are going through. The trio boldly testifies that Our God (Yahweh) is our Refuge. Many a times we (including me) sing, read, and profess, ‘GOD is our Refuge’, just because the situation demands it. Are there similar situations such as what the Salems are going through? Do we still profess ‘GOD is our Refuge?’
GOD IS MY REFUGE AND STRENGTH!
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