“because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints” – Colossians 1:4

The Rev. and Mrs. Robert Porteous were missionaries with China Inland Mission beginning in the 1920’s. They ministered in Jianxi Province and they began an intensive Bible school. Beginning in the late 1920’s, communist troops rose to power and began disrupting life in the province.

In 1931, the Porteous family was taken prisoner by the communists. They were led to a lonely spot on top of a hill where they were to be executed. The leader said, “This is the place.” The executioner took a long knife from its holder and raised it above the necks of the courageous couple. Certain death seemed imminent.

However, instead of cringing and begging for mercy, the couple began to sing. The bandits stared open-mouthed as they heard this hymn. “Face to face with Christ, my Savior, Face to face-what will it be? When with rapture I behold him, Jesus Christ who died for me.”

These two were ready for death and thought that would be their last song. But, no order was given for their execution. The executioner returned the knife to its place, and the couple was released and enjoyed another 40 years of ministry.

How would you do if your faith were put to the test? Today in prayer, thank the Lord that in His strength, we can have enough faith for today.

“Faith is a living, bold trust in God’s grace, so certain of God’s favor that it would risk death a thousand times trusting in it.” – Martin Luther

God’s Word: “For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.'” – Romans 1:17

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2005, Devotional E-Mail DEVOTIONS IN COLOSSIANS pkennedy6@yahoo.com