“Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” – 2 Timothy 2:3

In December 1950, the North Korean Army was pushing south. Lieutenant Colonel Russell Blaisdell was an Air Force chaplain stationed in Seoul. As people in the city fled, the chaplain’s concern turned to 1,000 children in an orphanage. If left alone, they would perish. So the chaplain arranged for a boat to evacuate the children to safety, but after seeing the vessel he realized it was not seaworthy. For the next few days Blaisdell prayed in desperation, but no answer came. Then on December 19, after five days without food or sleep, he raced to Air Force Headquarters at Kimpo Air Base and met with Colonel T.C. Rogers. Rogers said: “We have an Air National Guard wing of 16 C-54s that has just arrived in Japan without an assignment. How soon can you get those children ready?” Blaisdell replied: “Right away,” not knowing how he would transport the 1000 children over the twenty miles to the airfield. But Blaisdell continued to pray that God would provide. Four U.S. Marine trucks suddenly were made available to him that same afternoon and the children were flown to safety. Today, the people of South Korea still remember Chaplain Blaisdell for his heroic measures in delivering 1,000 orphans to safety.

It is during the most difficult times that we are to endure hardship so the Lord can show Himself strong. Today in prayer, give thanks to Christ that He is a God who answers prayer and seek Him during the most difficult times.

“Many people have the idea that the ministry is a soft job. Preachers are often the butt of jokes that suggest that preachers are lazy and should be ashamed of accepting their salaries. But a dedicated Christian minister is in a battle that requires spiritual endurance.” – Warren Wiersbe

God’s Word: “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?” – Hebrews 12:7

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2003, Devotional E-Mail DEVOTIONS IN 2 TIMOTHY pkennedy@devotional.com