DO NOT BE AFRAID Monday – June 21, 2010

DO NOT BE AFRAID Monday – June 21, 2010

“Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” – Numbers 14:9

Soon after World War II, the Reverend John Grauel, a Methodist minister from Massachusetts, began helping Jewish refugees resettle in Israel. On March 23, 1947, he sailed aboard the refugee ship “Exodus”. The ship carried 4554 Holocaust survivors. It was intercepted and captured by British destroyers off the coast of Haifa, Palestine. The British stormed the Exodus and two refugees and one crewmember died. The ship was diverted and the Jewish refugees were sent to displaced persons camps in the British Zone of Germany.
The Reverend Grauel encouraged the fearful refugees. He rushed to Jerusalem and gave persuasive testimony; how the Exodus was rammed seven times, then boarded by armed sailors who shot and clubbed to death defenseless boys.
“The Exodus had no arms,” the Reverend Grauel insisted.
The Reverend Grauel then gave a firsthand report on what happened to the United Nations Special Committee on Palestine. His compelling testimony paved the way for a United Nations vote that recognized the Jewish state of Israel.

The Lord asks us to trust in Him and not to be afraid. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that when we put our trust in Christ, we do not have to be afraid of anything.

“Jesus came treading the waves; and so he puts all the swelling tumults of life under his feet. Christians – why afraid?” – Augustine

God’s Word: “say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.’” – Isaiah 35:4