Blessings in the Darkness
Corrie ten Boom and her sister, Betsy, were caught and imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp for hiding Jews in their home during World War II. Their barracks were terrible, overcrowded and flea-infested. Betsy insisted that they “thank God for the fleas” in prayer. Corrie was initially horrified by such a thought, but she did so for her sister’s sake and her own faith. Because of the fleas, they were able to smuggle a Bible and conduct Bible studies and prayer in the women’s barracks resulting in many accepting Christ. Furthermore, because of the fleas, they realized the guards left them alone. They were not assaulted as they would have been. Even through dire circumstances, God provided His divine protection. (Corrie ten Boom, “The Hiding Place”)
“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:3-5).
Trials and Tribulations
Even though we live through trials and tribulation in this world as it is not yet cleansed, we can be assured that God still bestows His blessings. Sometimes we don’t see those blessings right away. Corrie ten Boom writes later that she was released from the prison camp due to a clerical error! She went on to write several books, articles and spoke to many during her long life after! Amazing! I love her second book, “A Prisoner…and Yet”.
The scriptures indeed tell us we WILL have trials. Some trials we experience are devastating and feel as though we cannot recover. And yet, we can hope because our lives do not depend on ourselves. We depend on God. We cry out to God. He truly is our ONLY hope. Living in this current world is difficult; sometimes unbearable. Every person can attest to that. Jesus said it clearly:
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Gratitude Even So
He has overcome the world by giving His life for us! This is why we can have gratitude even through this world’s hardships. If we give our hearts and lives to Him and repent of our sins, He promises us eternal life. In the above summary, Corrie’s sister, Betsy, died in the concentration camp, but she died grateful to her Lord with no reservations as to where she would spend eternity.
Brandon Lake has a song out called, “Gratitude”. Its words are powerful:
So I throw up my hands and praise You again and again; ‘cause all that I have is a Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
And I know it’s not much, but I’ve nothing else fit for a King; except for a heart singing Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
Let us take these words to heart even if we are going through the darkness. Let us still sing “Hallelujah” to Him who sits on the Throne. We truly have nothing else fit for a King so this is what we do - no matter what. Amen!
Tonya Noren
March 19, 2023