But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

• Matthew 5:44

“One evening, at the concentration camp in Vught, Betsie brought news: ‘A lady from Ermelo was transferred to the sewing detail today. When I introduced myself, she said, “Another one!”’
“’What did she mean?’
“’Corrie, do you remember the day we were arrested, a man came to the shop?’
“I remembered very well.
“’He worked with the Gestapo and reported this woman’s family for Resistance work. Eventually, her city finally caught on to him, and he moved to our city. His name was Jan Vogel.’
“Flames of fire seemed to leap around that name in my heart. I thought of Father. It was the actions of this man that killed him! I thought of the many who were arrested because of him. If Jan Vogel stood in front of me now, I could kill him. All of me ached with violent emotion. I could not sleep. By the end of the week, I was physically sick.
“What puzzled me was Betsie. She had suffered everything I had and yet seemed to carry no burden of rage. ‘Betsie!’ I hissed one night, ‘Doesn’t it bother you about Mr. Vogel?’
“’Oh yes, Corrie! Terribly! I’ve felt for him ever since I knew-and pray for him whenever his name comes into my mind. How dreadfully he must be suffering!’”

• Corrie ten Boom, God is my Hiding Place

“Everyone needs God’s mercy. I will keep my heart clean, walk in God’s compassion and use my life to help others.”

• Corrie ten Boom, Highlighted Quote

Boilerplate

In this new mini-series, I will be looking at a devotion that is said to be written by Corrie ten Boom.  Really, this devotion is like several that I had read.  They come from the writings of that person.  Thus, the prayers at the end may be the editor’s addition to what Corrie ten Boom actually wrote.

Each of these posts will include the suggested verses to read, a quote from the writing that came from a Corrie ten Boom book (five in all according to the copyright page, but no chapter in the book is given the specific book of origin).  I will also include the highlighted quote, similar to an internet quotation, and I will end with the quoted prayer for that devotion.

Discussion

Tante Corrie was in three different camps during her time after being captured by the Gestapo.  She was in a prison in Holland.  Then she went to Vught concentration camp before ending up in Ravensbruck.  In a previous story, she talked about how Ravensbruck was not a death camp.  It was a work camp, but since the Nazis cared nothing for their prisoners, tens of thousands died at Ravensbruck.

I have written about how the imprecatory verses within many of the psalms are a legitimate way to pray to God.  Most of the imprecatory verses are asking for the wicked to be put to shame.  We all want that.  In being put to shame, they might realize that they need a Savior, but if you ever apply a face to that feeling of injustice, mercy should take over at that point.

Not that you could ever get a good night’s sleep in the horrible conditions of a concentration camp, but she had adjusted to the life she was in.  Then, once she had a name to go with the man who had betrayed her and her family, she seethed with anger.  She became sick and could not sleep.

Then, Betsie’s attitude made no sense.  They never saw their father again after they were separated, soon after being arrested.  He died very soon, while they were still at the prison.  He was 84 years old when arrested.

My wife’s grandfather in Holland kept downed pilots in his root cellar.  The Gestapo never suspected the 90-year-old who was confined to a wheelchair.  My father-in-law was, at the time, a sickly young man, deemed unfit for service.  He was able to go to the university, and he completed an accounting degree, but he was severely beaten one day when he was caught spitting on a Nazi staff car.

But I digress.  Corrie was consumed by her anger until she saw the model of what she should be doing from her sister Betsie.  Betsie not only loved her enemy, she prayed for him, just as Jesus tells us to do in Matthew 5.

When Corrie realized what was happening, she changed her attitude.  She had the best night’s sleep she had in a long time after she prayed for God’s forgiveness.

That did not mean that Jan Vogel was now her friend.  She need not invite him for supper, but she released her anger toward him.  She did not let the injustice of this world consume her.

I had unknown enemies throughout my working career, but when I knew who had persecuted me, I knew what had to be done.  I had to release that anger.  As Jesus said from the cross, “Forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Closing Prayer

“Father, I need Your help. It’s easy for me to pass judgment on others and see their sins, but You have a higher way for me to walk-the heavenly path of mercy. I know You are teaching me to bless my enemies and to pray for those who hurt my loved ones and me. I need Your grace to do that. I need You to change my heart and to soften it with Your love.”

• Corrie ten Boom, God is my Hiding Place (prayer for Day 30, Embracing the Mercy of God)

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.