His Presence

The Lord your God is with you wherever you go. – Joshua 1:9

Corrie and Betsie ten Boom were two Dutch women who hid Jewish people during the Nazi occupation of their country during World War II. After a spy told on them, the Nazis sent the two elderly women to Ravensbruck, one of the most dreaded concentration camps. There they endured incredible suffering and abuse. Yet they ministered to hundreds of prisoners who needed to hear about Jesus. Their barracks were transformed into a Bible study and prayer center, and the harsh attitudes of many prisoners were turned to compassion and love. Eventually, Betsie became deathly ill and was taken to the prison hospital. After the orderlies set Betsie’s stretcher down, Corrie leaned down to hear the words on her sister’s weak lips, “…must tell people what we have learned here. We must tell them that there is no pit so deep that He is not deeper still. They will listen to us, Corrie, because we have been there.”

Betsie died the next day. Soon Corrie was miraculously discharged from the camp, only days before all women her age were killed. For the rest of her life, Corrie traveled the globe telling her story of God’s presence and faithfulness even in the worst of places.

Whatever crisis you may face, remember that your Heavenly Father promises to hear you, walk with you, and give you strength. But His greatest desire is for you to reach out to Him. So when you are struggling, whisper your thoughts to Him. Then ask Him to use your circumstances for His glory to bring others into the kingdom. Pray that your national leaders will experience the Lord’s presence in every situation.