"Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus." - 2 Timothy 2:3
In December 1950, the North Korean Army was pushing south. Lieutenant Colonel
Russell Blaisdell was an Air Force chaplain stationed in Seoul. As people in the
city fled, the chaplain's concern turned to 1,000 children in an orphanage. If
left alone, they would perish. So the chaplain arranged for a boat to evacuate
the children to safety, but after seeing the vessel he realized it was not
seaworthy. For the next few days Blaisdell prayed in desperation, but no answer
came. Then on December 19, after five days without food or sleep, he raced to
Air Force Headquarters at Kimpo Air Base and met with Colonel T.C. Rogers.
Rogers said: "We have an Air National Guard wing of 16 C-54s that has just
arrived in Japan without an assignment. How soon can you get those children
ready?" Blaisdell replied: "Right away," not knowing how he would transport the
1000 children over the twenty miles to the airfield. But Blaisdell continued to
pray that God would provide. Four U.S. Marine trucks suddenly were made
available to him that same afternoon and the children were flown to safety.
Today, the people of South Korea still remember Chaplain Blaisdell for his
heroic measures in delivering 1,000 orphans to safety.
It is during the most difficult times that we are to endure hardship so the Lord
can show Himself strong. Today in prayer, give thanks to Christ that He is a God
who answers prayer and seek Him during the most difficult times.
"Many people have the idea that the ministry is a soft job. Preachers are often
the butt of jokes that suggest that preachers are lazy and should be ashamed of
accepting their salaries. But a dedicated Christian minister is in a battle that
requires spiritual endurance." - Warren Wiersbe
God's Word: "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For
what son is not disciplined by his father?" - Hebrews 12:7
By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2003, Devotional E-Mail DEVOTIONS IN 2 TIMOTHY
pkennedy@devotional.com
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