A Memorial

Today is Memorial Day in America. It is a day we remember those who have given their lives defending our country. 🇺🇸

I don't want to diminish their sacrifice in any way, but today I'm going to tell you the story of another "soldier" instead. Her name is Rebecca and she is from Nigeria. 🇳🇬

Rebecca and her daughter were out walking one day and as they were returning home they saw smoke rising from their village and heard the sound of gunshots.

Rebecca's village was under attack by Boko Haram - an Islamic extremist organization. They were hunting down and killing Christians that day.

Rebecca and her daughter survived. Her husband and son did not. Their family's Bible also managed to survive through the flames that consumed their home. Rebecca now reads it to her daughter and the other children in her village. 

We are in a war right now in this world, and many don't even know it. There is no sound of gunfire. There is no smell of smoke in the air. Just souls melting slowly and quietly from life into death. Without tears. Without mourning. Without hope.

The only thing that can save us in this silent world war is faith in Jesus Christ. And our weapon of choice is the Bible - God's Word.

The battle is coming to your village soon, if it's not there already. The Apostle Paul has some words of advice that will help us as we fight.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." - Ephesians 6:10-17

That sounds like someone getting ready for battle. Is it you?

Rebecca of Nigeria - VOM 2022