The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

• John 1:5

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

• Romans 8:35-36

“It grew harder and harder. Even within these four walls, there was too much misery, too much seemingly pointless suffering. Every day something else failed to make sense, something else grew too heavy. Will You carry this, too, Lord Jesus?
“But as the rest of the world grew stranger, one thing became increasingly clear. And that was the reason the two of us were here. Why others should suffer, we were not shown. As for us, from the morning until lights-out, whenever we were not in ranks for roll call, our Bible was the center of an ever widening circle of help and hope. Like vagabonds clustered around a blazing fire, we gathered about it, holding out our hearts to its warmth and light. The blacker the night around us grew, the brighter and truer and more beautiful burned the Word of God.”

• Corrie ten Boom, God is my Hiding Place

“I get stronger when I wrap myself in God’s light.  This allows me to illuminate a path so others find their way to Him.”

• 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

She spoke about how she was in barracks 8 and the punishment barracks was barracks 9.  It near the other barracks so that you could hear the torture being done next door.

And in the midst of their own suffering, Betsie and Corrie found purpose.  They would share the Gospel.  They would be the light in the darkness.

The true light is Jesus.  There is light in the darkness within the Word of God.  But being bold in your faith to share that light is something else entirely.

They had to be careful.  If the Bible was found, they would be the next to go to the punishment barracks.

But notice what Tante Corrie said, “from the morning until lights-out, whenever we were not in ranks for roll call, our Bible was the center of an ever widening circle of help and hope.”

Maybe we have it too soft today.  But it is rare when the Bible is at the center of our lives.

Our faith grows stronger when we keep our eyes on Jesus, and our mind on God’s Holy Word.

Closing Prayer

“Father, You have called me to shine brightly for the world to see. Give me the grace to share Your truth with those around me.  Speak to me and encourage me, so I will, in turn, encourage others. Though at times my burdens are great, You will lighten my load. As I keep my focus on You, not only will I be strengthened, but I will also be able to strengthen others. You will turn my tribulation into a great victory!”

• Corrie ten Boom, God is my Hiding Place (prayer for Day 35, A Light in the Darkness)

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.