Solomon Rosenberg, his wife, his 2 sons, and his mother and father were arrested
and placed in a Nazi concentration camp during the Holocaust of WWII. It was a
labor camp and the rules were simple: "As long as you can do your work, you are
permitted to live. When you become too weak to do your work, then you will be
exterminated."
Rosenberg watched his mother and father being marched off to their deaths when
they became too weak to work. He knew that his youngest son, David, would be
next because David had always been a frail child.
Every evening when Rosenberg came back into the barracks after his hours of
labor, he would search for the faces of his family. When he found them, they
would huddle together, embrace one another, and thank God for another day of
life.
One day Rosenberg came back, but he didn’t see those familiar faces. He finally
discovered his oldest son, Joshua, in a corner, huddled, weeping, and praying.
He said, "Josh, tell me it’s not true." Joshua turned and said, "It is true,
Poppa. Today David was not strong enough to do his work, so they came for him."
"But WHERE is your mother?" Asked Mr. Rosenberg.
"Oh Poppa," he exclaimed. "When they came for David, he was afraid and he was
crying. Momma said, ‘There is nothing to be afraid of, David,’ . . . . And then
she took his hand and went with him."
There are few things as strong as the love of a mother for her children – a love
so strong that it would choose to give up life so her child can be comforted.
The love of Mrs. Rosenberg pictures the sacrificial love Jesus has for US. In
order to take away OUR fear of death, He went before us (Hebrews 2:14-15). He
met death "head on" – in fact, He died for us so that we might have the
forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal life (Ephesians 1:7; 1 Thessalonians
5:10). Jesus was buried but emerged from the grave victorious, so that WE might
have hope in the Resurrection. "O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is
your victory? Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus
Christ" (1 Cor. 15:55, 57).
The victory belongs to THOSE who submit their lives to Christ: believing in Him
(Acts 16:30-31), turning from sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confessing Him
before men (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized (immersed) for the forgiveness
of our sins (Acts 2:38). Victory will continue to be enjoyed by those who
continue to follow Jesus faithfully for the rest of their lives (1 John 1:7).
“As one whom his mother comforts, So I will comfort you,” says the Lord (Isaiah
66:13).
Will YOU “take His hand” in trusting obedience?
David A. Sargent creekwood@comcast.net
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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