A love letter

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”
Hebrews 4:7b (NIV)

God has allowed me an opportunity to befriend a young Muslim girl, S., from a Middle Eastern country. I vividly remember the day she said, “I want to spend more time with you, but I don’t want to speak of Jesus anymore.”

My heart was crushed, but I told her that I would not speak of Christ unless she initiated the conversation. Later, we traveled to visit some Christian friends. Before our arrival, I began feeling ill, so she assisted me to their house. Everyone gathered to comfort me. My friend touched S. on the shoulder and asked if she would like to pray for me in the name of Jesus. In a shaky voice she replied, “Yes, but I don’t know how. Please help me.”

She began repeating the prayer of my Christian friend, asking Jesus to heal me. Moments later, I felt my strength return, and S. was astonished that our prayers had been answered so quickly.

Later, S. saw a Bible on the table. She glanced through pages. We offered her a Bible in her own language. She accepted and randomly opened to Hebrews 4:7 and read out loud: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts” (NIV). We shared that God was speaking to her. Up until that night she would not accept a Bible, but she took a Bible home and she heard God, through His Word, directly speaking to her heart. She began to read His love letter to her.

— Cheryl, Western Europe

Heavenly Father, You choose to demonstrate Your power and love in many ways. I thank You that Your words are life and speak to the heart. Use Your Word in Western Europe to shine truth to those with hardened hearts. Amen.

Text exerpt from Voices of the Faithful. Order your own copy from the
International Mission Board Resource Center