Christ. . . More Lovely, More Precious Than a Daughter

North Korea: The Villages of GokSan

The young, brown-eyed girl looked up at her mother. What would her mom decide?

Earlier that morning, the young girl's mother, their pastor, and twenty-six others in her North Korean village of GokSan were bound and taken before a screaming crowd of Communists. One of the guards ordered Pastor Kim and the other Christians, "Deny Christ, or you will die."

The words chilled her.

How could they ask her to deny Jesus? She knew in her heart he was real.

They all quietly refused. Then the Communist guard shouted directly at the adult Christians, "Deny Christ, or we will hang your children."

The young girl looked up at her mother. She gripped her hand knowing how much her mom loved her.

Her mother then leaned down. With confidence and peace she whispered, "Today, my love, I will see you in heaven."

All of the children were hanged.

The remaining believers were then brought out onto the pavement and forced to lie down in front of a large steamroller. The communists gave them one last chance. "Deny this Jesus or you will be crushed."

The Christians had already given up their children; there was no turning back. As the driver started the heavy piece of equipment, the singing from the villagers started softly. "More love, O Christ, to thee, more love to thee."

from Extreme Devotion

Dear Jesus, is it even possible for anybody to read this story with dry eyes? I'm not even a mommy -- I know I don't understand the extent of this. . . Deny Christ, or we will hang your children? The pain of watching any child die would far surpass the pain of being crushed by a steamroller. . . and to have it be your own child? Crush me first so I don't have to watch! But such mercy and such grace You showed this woman in this hour, for You caused her to see that You are far worthier than anything! Oh, to have such confidence and peace in You, Jesus, and in Your promises. . . how far I have to go!  Thank you for this woman's example. . .  and thank you, Father,  for helping me understand more and more through it the sacrifice of Your precious Child -- the Perfect One whom You sent to die.  The Altogether Lovely One who endured far more pain in his death than I could ever comprehend so that a mother could even say "Today, my love, I will see you in heaven." Give me a heart that loves you like this, Jesus. . . More Love, O Christ, to thee, more love to thee! It's for Your precious, precious Name that I ask this. Amen.