Daily Devotional for Friday, December 23

Be Not Afraid

“Satanic craft is real. We witnessed it first hand tonight in the pouring rain on this island, far from the city and dangerous beyond what we probably know. Gathering a few people who sheltered with us under the cover of a cogon roof, the opportunity seemed to present itself to speak the Word of the Lord, which while we did so, the local priest, a shaman with purported magical powers strode up and stood under the low hanging limbs of a mango tree beside us. The people, nervous and unsure what to do, began to clamor among themselves as we tried to preach. One shouted to our faces in a language we couldn’t grasp, and another reached for my Bible to tear it from my hands. The priest glared. But in an instant, the whole fiasco settled with the reading— ‘That, [Jesus] was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.’ The priest hurried away. And more people joined us beneath the shelter.” —Memoirs of a Missionary, Glen Knight
I cannot tell you the number of times I have been fearful to preach among the people of these islands, especially at night when one cannot see what is lurking in the darkness. Threats of violence, abduction or the sudden departure of people who came to listen have always given me pause. There have been knives and guns and once, a barrage of stones presented that were used to stop the preaching. In such instances, the thought comes that perhaps the people are not worthy of the Word. But that cannot be the case. It would be easy to run away, except for the fact that God is with us, and He has sent us to the people.

AN AMAZING TRUTH: On mission with the Lord, we cannot fear!

Glen Knight