Day 4: The Lord Will Make North Korea a Praise in the Earth
The Lord has made proclamation to the ends of the earth; "Say to the Daughter of Zion, 'See, your Savior comes'! See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.'" They will be called the Holy People the Redeemed of the Lord; and you will be called Sought After, the City No Longer Deserted. Isaiah 62:11-12
North Korea is the most dangerous country in the world to be a Christian. Believers risk imprisonment and death just to own a Bible. And yet the Word of God continues to go out and to bring true freedom, especially in the cities near the Chinese border. Every year North Koreans risk their lives to cross over the border into China. Once they have crossed, the danger continues, but there are also opportunities to hear the Good News of Christ when they fall under the care of Christian safe houses. As they receive Christ and are discipled, many refugees return to North Korea at great personal risk to bring the Gospel message to their fellow citizens at home.
For Christians in North Korea life is especially fragile. Many would feel forsaken were it not for the hope of Christ. Many wonder, "How long, Lord, must we suffer?" But as one Christian wrote, "There is no way that we can stop ourselves from falling from the cliff of despair if we only look at the reality. Jesus saves us from it. We try to be positive, always, whatever situation we face. We will keep marching toward the eternal heaven, where Jesus has prepared a place for us."
READ AND PRAY
Just as God beautified Pyongyang and other cities and villages of North Korea in the early 1900's, so He will do it again. He will give His people new names. No longer will they be called "forsaken," but their name will be Hephzibah, "My delight is in her." No longer will their land be "desolate," but rather Beulah, "Married to the Lord!" And God will rejoice over them!
Read aloud Isaiah chapter 62 and pray for North Korea by using Scripture as your prayer.
