SCRIPTURE
“For He is the living God and He endures forever; His kingdom will not be destroyed, His dominion will never end. He rescues and He saves; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”
Daniel 6:26b and 27
SPOTLIGHT
I recall the story of an unsung missionary hero. Her name was Gladys Aylward. She lived in the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Born in England, one day she attended a Salvation Army street meeting in London where she was gloriously converted. Her salvation gave birth within her to reach the Chinese people with the Gospel. This happened while she worked as a cleaning woman for a wealthy gentleman who had an extensive library on China. Gladys felt God’s call to go as a missionary to that great country.
Upon applying to a mission board, she failed an intellectual test, and was told she did not measure up to the standards. However, she didn’t feel rejected. She had already received her commission from a source higher than a mission board. And, so, she went on her own.
Little Gladys would preach on the streets of Yangcheng, and other cities. She told the people that no power on earth could overcome the Christian. Week after week she preached that all men should live in the resurrection power of Jesus Christ.
One day the governor summoned her and said, “We have a terrible situation. There is a riot in the prison where murderers, and vicious men, are guarded by only 12 soldiers. We can’t go in. They will kill us. And one of the worst men in the prison is berserk. He has a huge meat cleaver in his hand and has already killed two men, and terrified the others. We want you to go in and take the meat cleaver out of his hands.” Gladys replied, “You must be out of your mind, Sir.” The governor said, “I have listened to you on the street telling that your God is always with you, about Daniel in the lion’s den, and how Jesus Christ in your heart will protect you.” The little missionary woman quickly said, “Ah, but you misunderstood, Sir.” The governor replied, “Oh, you haven’t been telling the truth? I only know what I heard you say, and I believed you.”
It was evident, the credibility of the Gospel was on the line. And so was her reputation. If Gladys was ever to preach again, she would have to go into that prison.
As she asked the Lord to go with her, she felt strangely peaceful. Standing at the prison door, the fearful guards unlocked it, pushed her in, and quickly shut it. She found herself in a long, narrow tunnel. At the end she could see men wildly running about, shouting and cursing. This time she prayed, “Be within me, Jesus.”
Walking to the end of the tunnel, she saw the madman, with a meat cleaver dripping with blood, chasing after another man. Without notice, he was in front of her. The giant’s wild, and feverish eyes looked at the little woman. Calmly, as she looked back with intensity, she said, “Give me that weapon.” He hesitated, and then in a docile manner handed it to her.
Addressing all the prisoners she said, “Now get in line all of you men - get back in line.” Quietly they lined up. She continued, “What are your complaints? I will tell them to the governor, and I assure you in his name that where possible, they will be corrected.”
Gladys Aylward lived in the resurrection power of the Lord Jesus Christ. So did Daniel when he was cast, into a den of hungry lions who had not been fed for a long time. And you can live in the same resurrection power of your Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Romans 8:11 states, “And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies, because of His Spirit who lives in you.”
SOMETHING TO DO
Recall 3 experiences in your life when you were facing a monumental mountain, but Jesus Christ gave you His resurrection power to either go over it, go through it, or go under it. If you cannot remember, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal these instances to you, as you go about your day’s activities. He will!
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Pray this poetic prayer which causes you to recall the resurrection power you have been enjoying.
HE LIVES WITHIN
How do I know that Christ is risen?
What proof have I to give?
He touched my life one blessed day
And I began to live.
How do I know He left the tomb
That morning long ago?
I met Him just this morning
And my heart is still aglow.
How do I know that endless life
He gained for me that day?
His life within is proof enough
Of immortality.
How do I know that Christ still lives
Rich blessings to impart?
He walks with me along the way
And lives within my heart.
Author unknown