This month, our meditation has been excerpted from the book entitled Extreme Devotion, compiled by Voice Of the Martyrs. In the following passage, the account of Pastor Im (Korean pastor in a North Korean detention facility) provides us with fodder for reflection and perhaps application:
You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand. (John 13:7)
“You may destroy my body, but not my soul,” the brave Korean pastor responded to the invading Communist army of North Korea. “I will not put Marxist propaganda in my sermons. I know you have taken other pastors at night from their homes and tortured them for not obeying your orders, but I do not care what you do to my body.”
The officer’s anger grew as Pastor Im spoke. Then he said with disgust, “If you do not care for yourself, then think of your family. They will be killed also.” Pastor Im hesitated. He expected to be hurt but had not considered his family. He knew the choice he must make. He calmly replied to the Communist officer, “I would rather have my wife and babies die by your gun, knowing that they and I stood faithful, than to betray my Lord and save them.”
“Take him away,” the Officer commanded. Pastor Im was kept in a dark prison cell for two years where he was not allowed to shave or change clothes. He kept up his courage by reciting a Bible verse that was precious to him. Every day from his small isolated cell, others could hear Pastor Im recite in a loving, calm voice, John 13:7, where Jesus promised, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
FURTHER: “Later.” In a modern society of instant coffee, cash, and convenience, “later” is almost an obsolete term. We want what we need now, not later. Headline sports, news, entertainment, and weather—even our media give us up-to-the-minute updates in every area of life. Yet the God who reigns and rules unrestrained by time still operates on the principle of “later.” Are we willing to trust Him now and defer our understanding of the events to a later time, even indefinitely? If you are going through a trial right now, trust is your most valuable asset, not understanding. Ask God for a greater ability to trust that will outweigh your desire to understand.
A moment of consideration: In previous devotionals, the subject of Bible memorization was explored and encouraged. With this writing, let us consider the account of an imprisoned Pastor Im, and his recitation of a Bible verse that “was precious to him.” The preciousness of Pastor Im’s memory verses bids us consider this subject anew. He had found relevance in the Holy Scriptures to his prison situation. Billy Graham understood this pastor’s application of Scripture. Rev. Graham commented, “Like Joseph storing up grain during the years of plenty to be used during the years of famine that lay ahead, may we store up the truths of God’s Word in our hearts as much as possible, so that we are prepared for whatever suffering we are called upon to endure.” Many Christian prisoners, when released from prison, have told of how Scripture kept them aware of God’s presence, how it would strengthen them to endure and persevere throughout the hard times of incarceration.
Are any Bible verses precious to us? Have Bible verses helped buoy us up during good times and hard times in life? Have we clung to Scriptural promises and known their preciousness to us? Are we able to bring to mind helpful Bible verses to situations or encounters with persons? Often, folks have found Scripture memorization can be helpful in accomplishing goals. In fact, in his book, How To Study the Bible for Yourself, Tim Lahaye listed seven things that Scripture memory can do for you:
1. It will give you victory over sin.
2. It helps you overcome worry.
3. It will give you a confidence in sharing your faith.
4. It speeds up the transforming process* (Romans 12:2)
5. It assists you in discovering God’s will for your life.
6. It helps in your other Bible studies.**
7. It outfits you for unlimited service to God.
You may have your own list of ways God’s Word can enhance and enable your Christian walk. Oswald Chambers had encouragement for us, when he said, “If we understood what happens when we use the Word of God, we would use it more often.” In our decision to hide God's Word in our hearts, perhaps a good place to begin doing so would be to consider the Precepts and Principles contained in Scripture. These form some of the bases of our faith, and it is good to be aware of what our faith is based upon. The precepts and principles contained in its pages can be very practical in helping to work out our loyalty to Christ. The Holy Bible gives clear instruction in both precepts and principles that might well become memory verses for us. (God’s precepts are specific, authoritative divine instructions, commandments, or statutes that prescribe definite actions or prohibitions for moral and spiritual conduct. In the biblical context, the Hebrew term piqqudim emphasizes these as detailed, specific guidelines intended to reveal God’s will and character, serving as a framework for righteous living and covenant relationship.)
Examples of a precept would be “no sexual immorality”, “do not repay evil for evil”, “pray without ceasing”, “in all things give thanks”, among others. Principles are judgment calls. (God’s principles are the fundamental truths, motives, or guiding policies behind these precepts that reflect God’s moral order and character. While precepts are matters of obedience (the “what”), principles are matters of maturity [the “why”], providing a broader ethical foundation that can be applied to unspecified situations and guiding the intent behind specific rules. The Bible doesn’t mention cards, makeup, movies, or tobacco. The more you know about God’s Word, the better judgment calls or decisions you can make. Another example of a precept is a sign that says “35 MPH.” There’s no give or take in that. “Drive carefully,” however, is a principle since it can vary with road and traffic conditions.
King David wrote that “The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart.” (Psalm 19:8) Later, in Psalm 111:7-8, was written, “The works of His hands are faithful and just; all His precepts are trustworthy; they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.” In Psalm 119:4,15 is stated “You have commanded Your precepts to be kept diligently; I will meditate on Your precepts and fix my eyes on Your ways.”
An example of God’s principles is found in Proverbs 3:5-6, where is written “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” In our lives it might appear as “Build your life and business on biblical principles for lasting success and fulfillment.” Because principles can be applied in different situations, other applications of God’s principles in Proverbs would be possible.
God’s Core Principles appear in the list, below (though not a comprehensive list of Biblical principles, these might help to identify other principles in the pages of Scripture):
God's Nature & Character
Exodus 34:6–7 — "The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness." (This is arguably the single most comprehensive statement of God's character.)
Deuteronomy 32:4 — "The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he."
1 John 4:8 — "God is love."
Isaiah 6:3 — "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory."
The Greatest Principles (Ethical Foundation)
Matthew 22:37–40 — "Love the Lord your God with all your heart… Love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets." (This is the most frequently cited summary of God's ethical principles.)
Matthew 7:12 — The Golden Rule: "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them."
Sovereignty & Purpose
Proverbs 19:21 — "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand."
Romans 8:28 — "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
Salvation & Faith
Ephesians 2:8–9 — "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Hebrews 11:6 — "And without faith one cannot please him, for whoever would come to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."
Moral Order & Justice
Exodus 20:1–17 — The Ten Commandments, which establish the foundational moral framework.
Psalm 19:7–9 — "The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul… the statutes of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether."
Psalm 82:3–4 — "Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed."
Stewardship & Sowing/Reaping
Galatians 6:7–8 — "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap."
1 Peter 4:10 — "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
The Greatest Commandments (Matthew 22:37–40) and the Exodus 34:6–7 self-revelation are generally considered the two passages that most directly encapsulate God's core principles—love as the supreme ethic, and mercy, faithfulness, and justice as the defining attributes of His nature.
Pastor Im had committed God’s Word to memory. Often, Christian prisoners do not have access within the prison to a copy of the Holy Bible. Memorization of Scripture is a good way to carry the heart of God with you in life. Vitally important to our persecuted brothers and sisters of the Faith, this is also true for each of us Christians. In each situation we experience, God’s Word is relevant and applicable. In such situations, let us remember our own precious Bible verses and bring the light of Christ to our world.
*Other books were given for our information; the Bible was given for our transformation.
**“There is dust enough on some of your Bibles to write ‘damnation’ with your fingers.” (Charles Haddon Spurgeon)