The Cost of Freedom: A Legacy of Sacrifice

"Remember the many who gave their tomorrows so we could have today."

We often speak of freedom, but we must never forget the staggering cost paid for it. History is marked by those who stood in the gap for others—none perhaps as poignant as the story of Corrie ten Boom.

A Love Deeper Than the Pit

During WWII, Corrie and her family hid Jewish people in their Netherlands home, driven by their faith and love. Their courage was met with betrayal when a man they tried to help informed the Nazis—trading lives for perhaps nothing more than cigarettes and ration cards.

The Ten Boom family was imprisoned in the Ravensbrück concentration camp. Corrie was the only survivor. In the midst of those horrific scenes, one might wonder where God was. Yet, after her miraculous release, Corrie traveled the world with a message that still resonates today:

"There is no pit so deep, the love of God is not deeper still."

The Miracle of Forgiveness

Corrie’s faith was put to the ultimate test years after the war when she came face-to-face with one of her former guards. She realized that in her own strength, she could not forgive him.

It was only by asking for God’s enabling power that the walls of unforgiveness shattered, replaced by a love that could only come from the heart of God. Her life became a testament to hope, forgiveness, and the "newness of life" available to all.

Two Landscapes

I have stood in two places that define the human condition:

• Auschwitz, Poland: A horrible memorial to the evil and depravity that can exist in the human heart.

• Calvary, Israel: A testament to the unfathomable, redeeming love of God.

There is so much evil and sadness in our world today. With constant "wars and rumors of wars," it is easy to drown in despair. But we have a choice: we can sink, or we can keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

The War for Your Heart

Just as there are earthly battles, a spiritual war is being waged for the eternal destiny of mankind. This war is more vicious than any fought on a physical battlefield—and it is being waged over you.

• The Battle: Jesus entered this fight on your behalf.

• The Sacrifice: He gave His life so you could live in true freedom.

• The Victory: He fought for a freedom that lasts forever.

God is working all things for His purposes and our ultimate good. Even when life feels overwhelming, remember that His ways are higher than ours. This is not the final chapter of your life.

A Final Remembrance

I am profoundly thankful for those who fought for our earthly freedom, and eternally grateful to Jesus, who fought for our forever freedom. Today, I invite you to remember the price that was paid for you—both in time and for eternity.

Blessings, Beloved of God.

Watch Corrie ten Boom’s Message: How to Forgivethe Netherlands. A ‘friend’ she tried to help informed the Germans. Maybe he traded people's lives for cigarettes and ration cards?

The Ten Boom family was imprisoned—Corrie was the only survivor. She must have had a difficult time seeing God in the horrific scenes that surrounded her.

After the war, Corrie traveled as a speaker and was able to tell people, “There is no pit so deep, the love of God is not deeper still.” Corrie’s messages brought hope, forgiveness, and newness of life to many.

Years after her miraculous release from prison, Corrie was asked to extend forgiveness to one of her former brutal guards. She realized she could only forgive with God's enabling power. As she asked God to help her forgive, all unforgiveness was shattered and replaced with love that only comes from the heart of God.

I have been to Auschwitz, Poland.

I remember it as a horrible memorial of the evil and depravity that exists in the heart of man. I have been to Calvary in Israel. It is a testament to the unfathomable love of God.

There is so much evil and sadness in our world. There will always be wars and rumours of war. We could drown in despair—or—we could keep looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. It's our choice.

Just as there are earthly wars, there is a spiritual war being waged for the eternal destinies of mankind. This war is more vicious than any that has ever played out on Earth's battlefields. It is a war being waged over you. Jesus entered this battle and fought for you.

He gave His life so you could live in freedom. He wanted your freedom to last forever. It really is the war that will one day end all wars.

God is working all things in our lives for His purposes—for our ultimate good—for the good of others. God knows our circumstances. Even when things look overwhelming, remember, God’s ways are higher than ours. This is not the final chapter of our lives.

I am thankful for all who fought for our earthly freedom, and especially to Jesus who fought for our forever freedom. Remember the price that was paid for your freedom—both for time and for eternity.

Blessings, Beloved of God.

This is a link to Corrie Ten Boom's message--How to forgive. bit.ly/4cZE5mv