Psalm 3

On Saturday night I borrowed a book from church called In the Presence of My Enemies, by Gracia Burnham. Today I finished the book and I can’t stop thinking about it. You all probably remember hearing about Martin and Gracia Burnham a few months before September 11th, 2001. They served as missionaries in the Philippines. He was a pilot with New Tribes and the couple was taken hostage as they celebrated their 15th (I think) wedding anniversary. This couple spent 53 weeks as hostages in the jungles of the Philippines. They spent over an entire year away from their three children, from a hot shower, a Bible, a washer and dryer, toilet paper, and church. Everything familiar and comforting was taken from them. I just can’t fathom it. The book was gripping and I couldn’t put it down. It gave a beautiful picture of the kind of support, and love that can flow between a husband and wife that love the Lord. Martin supported his wife and pointed her to Christ when her faith was weak. They prayed together and reminded one another of the promises of God that were theirs in Christ. They laughed together and cried. They had only each other, and the Lord.

They were taken hostage by an Islamic terrorist group carrying out jihad. In the end, Martin was killed by the Philippine soldiers who were trying to rescue them. But Gracia made it out alive, and is now raising their three kids back in the states. I love reading biographies of missionaries. They always challenge my faith and help me to see beyond my little corner here in Southern California. I need that more than I probably realize. So, as I was reading Psalm 3 today I was struck with a new perspective on these types of psalms. It is a psalm of David, when he is fleeing from his own son Absalom. David speaks of his many foes, and says, “I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.” I can not relate to these words. I do not have these kinds of enemies, or people chasing after me threatening my life. So, I’ve always read these imprecatory psalms and wondered what I was to do with them. Today I realized that I can pray! There are people just like David, and the Burnhams who are still out there being held captive. There are people who are being tortured for their faith in Christ today in places like China. People who are killed proclaiming His name. These people are my brothers and sisters in the Lord. David’s psalms give me insight and help me to pray for the persecuted church. Oftentimes these people seem so far away, and I wonder what I can really do to help. But I can pray! We can pray for these people, and these nations. Our God is able to hear our prayers, and comfort, save, and uplift our brothers and sisters in chains.

“Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.” Hebrews 13:3